Flowers for Algernon

1) IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient

2) The IQ test sets an average IQ of 100 as the centre value on a bell curve.
There is a standard deviation of 15 points and each score is ranked by a
projection on the normal distribution.
3) The test has some limitations:
a) It is easier for people to obtain a higher score if they are used to taking tests
and do not become anxious about doing them.
b) It can be hard to know how much a person's IQ score reflects their
intellectual abilities or their motivation to do well on the test. According to
psychologist Ulric Neisser, in the article "Rising Scores on Intelligence Tests,"
if the IQs of people in 1932 were tested by 1997's standards, their average IQ
score would be 20 points below the average IQ in 1997. Doctor Neisser
suggested that increased motivation to score highly on tests may have
contributed to the increase in IQ scores over
time.

( Alexander,Tyson Limitations of the IQ Test, updated: August 23, 2010)

c) According to psychologist Howard Gardner, there are at least seven different
kinds of intelligence, including musical, kinesthetic, and interpersonal
intelligence. Although IQ tests do test logical thinking skills and memory,
they dont test your interpersonal skills or creativity.
d) The IQ test does not result in the same scores in all cultural groups. An IQ test
may ask questions that focus on skills that are important to one cultural group,
and neglect skills that are important to another cultural group



4) The EQ is a test of emotional intelligence. The first of these tests is the
Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) and measures differences in the
way people tend to feel and experience things emotionally (both positive and
negative) The second test, the Affiliative Tendency Scale (MAFF) measures
social skills.

5) I think that the IQ test is more important than the EQ test. The EQ test only
records an individuals emotional responses or social skills at a particular time,
or moment in their life. The results of an IQ test may also change but over a
longer period of time.

6) The Rorschach test (German pronunciation: [oax]; also known as the
Rorschach inkblot test, the Rorschach technique, or simply the inkblot test) is
a psychological test in which subjects' perceptions of inkblots are recorded and
then analyzed using psychological interpretation, complex scientifically
derived algorithms, or both.

7) In my opinion, the Rorschach test is not very effective. A persons personality
traits and emotional functions can change, but this test can only be done once,
resulting in only one record. In addition, this test has been criticized by many
academics for a lot of other reasons: some researchers continue to raise
questions. The areas of dispute include the objectivity of testers, inter-rater
reliability, the verifiability and general validity of the test, bias of the test's
pathology scales towards greater numbers of responses, the limited number of
psychological conditions which it accurately diagnoses, the inability to
replicate the test's norms, its use in court-ordered evaluations, and the
proliferation of the ten inkblot images, potentially invalidating the test for
those who have been exposed to them.
[ (Wikipedia, Rorschach Test

8 Howard Gardner didnt believe that there was only one kind of human
intelligence. (See answer 3 c) Neither did he support the use of tests such
as the IQ or Rorschach as accurate measures of a persons mental ability.
Gardners evidence suggests that everybody possesses multiple
intelligences .
9) The traditional intelligence tests, such as the IQ test, work on the idea
that people are born with a fixed amount of intelligence and that this
does not change throughout life. The belief is that this intelligence can
be measured nin short-answer tests.. Gardners assessment, in contrast,
suggests that assessment of an individual's multiple intelligences can
lead to learning and problem-solving styles. Short answer tests are not
used because they do not measure deep understanding. They only
measure memorization skills and our ability to do well on short answer
tests.
10) Common learning disabilities in school-age children are:
Dyslexia It is a language based disability in which a child faces the
problem of understanding written words. It is also referred as reading
disability or reading disorder and is the most common of the learning
disabilities in children.
Dyscalculia It is a mathematical disability in which a child faces
difficulty in solving arithmetic problems and grasping the various
concepts of mathematics. It is a complex disability and requires the
intervention of skillful teachers. Arithmetic difficulties can be as
pervasive as reading disabilities and demand similar attention and
concern.
Dysgraphia It is a writing disability where a child finds it difficult to
form letters, write within a defined space, poor handwriting and trouble
putting thoughts on paper. Specific accommodations in the learning
environment and additional practice will be beneficial for the one facing
the disorder.
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorders It is a sensory disability
where a child finds it difficult to understand language in spite of having
normal hearing and vision. The child is unable to recognize and interpret
information taken in through the senses.
Nonverbal Learning Disabilities This neurological disorder takes
place in the right hemisphere of the brain. In case of this disability, a
child finds problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational,
evaluating and other processing functions. This disorder is quite hard to
understand and diagnose. Children are unable to recognize and translate
nonverbal gestures such as facial expressions or tone of voice. They are
not able to provide appropriate response to nonverbal stimuli and are
wrongly considered as emotionally disturbed and branded as problem
children. This type of disability occurs less than language based
learning disorders.
Having a learning disability at school age can mean being the victim of
prejudice, bullying, teasing and, later in life, the disability can cause
difficulties finding certain types of work.
11) Here is one definition of a gifted child:
"Gifted/talented children are those children who possess an untrained and
spontaneously expressed natural ability in at least one ability domain significantly
beyond that typically seen in children of the same age. Giftedness comes in many
forms and levels. It is found in students of all socio-economic groups, and of diverse
personalities and backgrounds. It can be combined with other exceptionalities/special
needs such as learning disabilities, socio-economic disadvantage, geographic
isolation, Aboriginality and having English as a second language."
(by the NSW Parents and Citizens Association)
Gifted Children often have problems socializing with their peers at school. In
addition, if these children are not challenged in school, they may become
underachievers or they may misbehave.