Question

Why is including culture-specific and non-verbal assays important on an IQ test?

a) To eliminate cultural biases in intelligence assessment
b) To increase the difficulty of the IQ test
c) To standardize the test for all populations
d) To measure verbal intelligence accurately

Answer 1

Including culture-specific and non-verbal components in an IQ test helps eliminate cultural biases and measures intelligence more equitably. It improves test validity and fairness. The correct answer is a) To eliminate cultural biases in intelligence assessment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Including culture-specific and non-verbal components in an IQ test is essential to eliminate cultural biases in intelligence assessment. This approach ensures that the test measures intelligence more accurately and equitably across different cultural backgrounds. Non-verbal assessments can reveal cognitive abilities unrelated to language skills, which is critical because intelligence is not solely based on verbal or academic competencies.

Cultural bias in IQ testing has been a point of contention, as some tests have traditionally favoured individuals with exposure to specific knowledge or cultural experiences. By adding non-verbal puzzles and logic problems that do not require cultural knowledge, the IQ test becomes more inclusive, measuring a broader range of cognitive abilities.

Therefore, the correct answer to why including culture-specific and non-verbal assays is important on an IQ test is a) To eliminate cultural biases in intelligence assessment. It improves the validity of the test and ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds have a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate their cognitive skills.