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Re: Mensa and Intelligence Testing

Posted by special_k on March 22, 2006, at 17:56:33

In reply to Re: Mensa and Intelligence Testing » AuntieMel, posted by special_k on March 22, 2006, at 17:51:57

So...

'the test is a measure of reasoning ability'

I have problems with this claim...

Significant problems with this claim...

I do not believe that it is. There are more kinds of reasoning ability than are tested in the test. The test tests a very limited kind.

It also suggests (for the appeal of Mensa to be so great) that the test shows you something of where you are placed in society regarding your reasoning ability (top 2%) and where you are likely to remain (i mean if people's reasoning ability went up and down a lot then the test would be fairly meaningless re: predicting long term reasoning ability)

Fact is... It is not a measure of reasoning ability. It is a measure of very specific kinds of reasoning ability.

The existence of tests like that also suggest that where one reasons (where one scores) is likely to remain fairly constant through ones lifespan. But that is crap. A bit of study and what do you know.

I'm not keen on testing in general...

Intelligence testing
Personality testing
etc
etc

IMO those kinds of tests tend to do more harm than good.

And people (psychologists typicallY) overgeneralise from the score to something meaningful about the person who has been tested.


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