Question

A high-school psychologist who is looking at a student's intelligence score finds a jump of 30 points between the earliest score at age 2 and the most recent at age 17. The psychologist's knowledge of testing would probably lead her to conclude that such a jump:

1) indicates that different tests were used, creating an apparent change in intelligence level, although it actually remained stable.
2) signals a significant improvement in the child's environment over this period.
3) is unsurprising, since intelligence scores do not become stable until late adolescence.
4) is mainly the result of the age at which the first test was taken.

Answer 1

The psychologist would likely attribute the 30-point jump in IQ score from age 2 to 17 to the use of different developmental stage-appropriate tests and the unreliability of tests given at very early ages.

Step-by-step explanation:

A high-school psychologist observing a 30-point jump in a student's intelligence score from age 2 to age 17 would likely consider several factors, using the psychologist's knowledge of testing. Given what is known about intelligence and IQ tests, the likelihood is that the tests used at different ages were not the same and were geared towards different developmental stages. Most importantly, IQ tests given before the age of three are generally not as reliable indicators of future intellectual functioning, mainly due to rapid developmental changes in early childhood. Therefore, it could be concluded that point 4, the age at which the first test was taken, likely contributed to the appearance of a significant change in IQ score.