(no subject)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/10/031020053951.htmThe steady rising of IQ scores over the last century - known as the Flynn effect - causes IQ tests norms to become obsolete over time. To counter this effect, IQ tests are "renormed" (made harder) every 15-20 years by resetting the mean score to 100 to account for the previous gains in IQ scores.Specifically, when a commonly used IQ test (the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or WISC) was renormed to account for the Flynn effect, the number of children in the borderline mental retardation range (IQ 66-70) recommended for special school programs due to mild mental retardation tripled during the first five years of the new test compared to an equivalent IQ range during the last five years of the previous test.
K. First, let me state that I am not anti-IQ test due to bitterness over low scores. I've taken many and score quite well on them, thank you much.
I object to use of IQ tests for anything other than math-class placement (and even then it should be only one of many factors) and personal inquisitiveness. Too easily influenced, and the scope of what they test is so very minute, yet so many want to predict a person's - and quite possibly form that person's - entire future based upon the results.
But in honesty, I object to any kind of test that tries to determine if a person is average or normal. And ya always notice, too, that scoring average (100 on an IQ test, for instance), is viewed very negatively.
It's screwed.
K. First, let me state that I am not anti-IQ test due to bitterness over low scores. I've taken many and score quite well on them, thank you much.
I object to use of IQ tests for anything other than math-class placement (and even then it should be only one of many factors) and personal inquisitiveness. Too easily influenced, and the scope of what they test is so very minute, yet so many want to predict a person's - and quite possibly form that person's - entire future based upon the results.
But in honesty, I object to any kind of test that tries to determine if a person is average or normal. And ya always notice, too, that scoring average (100 on an IQ test, for instance), is viewed very negatively.
It's screwed.