IQ Test Biases are Limited Yet Extremely Important While Taking an IQ Test

 Let’s Find Out why…?

There are two kinds of IQ test biases. Some are for them and others against them.

The modern way of thinking has given people a reason to be convinced that the IQ tests might be the appropriate and unbiased tools to measure the level of intelligence that you possess. 

To begin with, none type of intelligence can be analyzed and mapped with 100% accuracy; the human brain is much more capable of harnessing different kinds of intellect. No single tool can so far have shown such a vastness and depth to measure all types of intelligence.  

Are the IQ tests biased? 

Let’s read ahead and find out.

A case against IQ test biases

There are many reasons which have led people to believe that IQ tests might not be biased. For example, IQ tests have provided enough proof that,

i.        It cannot measure creativity in a person. IQ tests usually are presented in a multiple choice form; which means that there is only one preconceived answer that could be correct to a question. A creative person, on the other hand, has multiple ways of facing a problem and is, therefore, is not likely to do good on an IQ test. Thus that particular IQ test is not fit to measure the intelligence of that creative person.

ii.        Secondly, according to Gardner, there are multiple bits of intelligence, yet IQ tests can measure only a single intellect at a given time. For example, these tests can measure the mathematical, logical and linguistic intelligence but not the lateral or the fluid intelligence.

iii.        Thirdly, there is enough reason to believe that the IQ tests might be biased against the impoverished people who lack education and are, hence, unable to comprehend the questions or to answer them. This, however, does not prove that they might be less intelligent than others. But the grim fact is that the IQ tests may still show them as individuals with lesser levels of intelligence.

iv.   Furthermore, we live in a global world. This website welcomes thousands of the visitors daily from different parts of the world. They take many IQ tests available to practice for their upcoming job screening test. When the tests are in the English language, they would be easier to the native English speaking people than visitors from other countries. 

Why to know IQ test biases?

According to T. Anne Cleary (1968), a test becomes biased when “the criterion score predicted from the common regression line is consistently too high or too low for members of the subgroup.” In simple terms, a test is biased when a difference is shown in the accuracy of predictions regarding the performance as revealed by the scores.

But this is not the only way to define a biased test. For example, if the scores of one group of people are consistently higher or lower than those of another group of people, it makes the test biased. These are the puzzles that have led some psychologists to think about IQ test biases.

In What Ways Are IQ Tests Biased?

So, do you want to know farther in which ways are IQ tests biased? Below are given some points which have been pointed out by Jerome Sattler, who is one of the world’s foremost experts on psychological childhood assessment.

IQ test biases against cultures

IQ tests are bound to be culturally biased as many things can hinder the acquired knowledge-based IQ of an individual.  For instance, differences in educational standards and opportunities, surrounding, life at home and poverty, etc. hence, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to develop a testing tool that objectively measures the innate intelligence of an individual without being culturally biased. However, Sattler is of the opinion that it has not entirely proven that the tests are, in fact, culturally biased.

Attempts can be made to eliminate culturally bound aspects, such as language, and design a test wholly based on designs, patterns, pictures, and demonstrations. Psychologists have also suggested to simple build tests that are culturally fair or are based on the different cultures of people being tested.

IQ test biases against national norms of a country

Sattler believes that national norms are related to the societal levels of performance. For example, in the US, the Caucasian kids are comparable to the other Caucasian kids; however, they do not stand equal in testing to the Hispanic kids or the African American kids. So, are IQ tests biased in this manner? No, they cannot be; therefore those who give the test have to be in knowledge of these differences in norms of the society.

IQ test biases against Minorities

Sattler is of the view that the people belonging to the minorities might not view the test in the same manner as the others. For example, they might not appreciate the achievement stimuli, the demands, the time pressures or the competitive edge required to complete the test.

There the answer to the question – are IQ tests biased? – is yes.

What do you say? Please comment below!

ShareFacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp