IQ and Human Intelligence

By N.J. Mackintosh

Book Overview

The question 'What is intelligence?' may seem simple to answer, but the study and measurement of human intelligence is one of the most controversial subjects in psychology. For much of its history, the focus has been on differences between people, on what it means for one person to be more
intelligent than another, and how such differences might have arisen, obscuring efforts to understand the general nature of intelligence. These are obviously fundamental questions, still widely debated and misunderstood. New definitions of intelligence and new factors affecting intelligence are
frequently being described, while psychometric testing is applied in most large industries.

IQ and Human Intelligence provides a clear, authoritative overview of the main issues surrounding this fascinating area, including the development of IQ tests, the heritability of intelligence, theories of intelligence, environmental effects on IQ, factor analysis, relationship of cognitive
psychology to measuring IQ, and intelligence in the social context. The clear, accessible style and numerous explanatory boxes make this the ideal text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology.

Online Resource Centre
The Online Resource Centre to accompany IQ and Human Intelligence features the following resources:

For registered adopters of the text:
- Figures from the book, available to download

For students:
- Hyperlinks to primary literature articles cited in the and 'Further Reading' sections of the book

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199585598
• ISBN13: 9780199585595
• Release Date: May 2011
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 456 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

IQ Review

Basically to the point. I highly recommend this book for those interested in the basics of IQ analysis. Mark Taylor

The Best on Its Subject

Masterful survey of the latest theoretical and experimental literature on the measurement of human intelligence at all levels from the sensorimotor to the cognitive. Very balanced discussion of controversial issues and superb bibliography. Mackintosh's thoughtful use of diagrams and tables of numerical data in addition to carefully phrased verbal explanations suggests that he is a whole-brain learner and is very helpful in aiding the reader's understanding of complicated issues. This book sets the new standard for general textbooks about IQ testing and has been adopted for the IQ testing course at several top universities. Every person who has ever paid for an IQ test or decided how to educate someone based on an IQ test should read this book at the earliest opportunity.

Opinionated but balanced

Mackintosh admits in the preface that he will not try to hide his opinions. And he doesn't, not on topics as controversial as the heritability of intelligence and racial differences in IQ scores. (Whether his conclusions are correct is, of course, up to the reader to decide.) His constant aim to search for data behind all claims will greatly serve students (and professors) who read the book, especially in a time when evidence is ignored in favor of political propaganda.