ERIC Number: EJ784374
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Mar
Pages: 29
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0007-0998
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Intelligence for Education: As Described by Piaget and Measured by Psychometrics
Shayer, Michael
British Journal of Educational Psychology, v78 n1 p1-29 Mar 2008
Two separate paths to the concept of intelligence are discussed: the psychometric path being concerned with the "measurement" of intelligence, involving the methodology of norm-referenced testing; the path followed by Piaget, and others, addresses from the start the related question of how intelligence can be "described," and employs a criterion-referenced methodology. The achievements of psychometrics are briefly described, with an argument that they now remain important tools of what Kuhn called "normal science." The criterion-referenced approach of Piaget and others is described, with evidence from intervention studies that the Genevan descriptions of children-in-action have allowed the choice of contexts within which children can profitably be challenged to go further in their thinking. Hence, Genevan psychology is "also" now a part of the normal science with important uses, shown both in neo-Piagetian studies and further research stemming from Geneva. Discussion of the "Flynn effect" sheds light on both paths, with problems still unresolved. The argument is then developed that the relevance of neuroscience needs to be discussed to try to decide in what ways it may provide useful insights into intelligence.
Descriptors: Intelligence, Norm Referenced Tests, Psychometrics, Criterion Referenced Tests, Intelligence Tests, Evaluation Methods
British Psychological Society. St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR, UK. Tel: +44-116-254-9568; Fax: +44-116-247-0787; e-mail: enquiry@bps.org.uk; Web site: http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/publications_home.cfm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A