Final answer:
With a mean IQ of 112 in a large population, this figure represents the average score around which the IQ distribution is centered, not the majority above or below it. A mean IQ does not provide information on individual scores without knowing more about the distribution's shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a large population where the mean IQ is 112, it implies that the IQ distribution is centered around this value. However, it does not necessarily mean that the majority of adults possess an IQ above or below this figure. The concept of the mean simply indicates that the average IQ among all adults considered in this population is 112.
When discussing IQ scores, we often assume a normal distribution, which resembles a bell curve. In a perfectly symmetric distribution, the mean is the point at which the curve is centered, meaning that approximately half the population will have IQ scores below the mean and half above. However, without further information on the distribution's skewness or variation, we can't definitively conclude the proportions above or below the mean—only that 112 is the average IQ within the group.
It's also important to mention that an IQ score is just one measure of intelligence, and while it can be useful for certain assessments in educational or clinical settings, it is not an exhaustive measure of an individual's cognitive abilities or potential.