By definition, an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) “is a total score derived from several standardized tests designed to assess human intelligence,” states online sources. However, if one digs a little deeper into the meaning of intelligence quotient, one realizes that there’s a lot more to it.  According to sources, the history of intelligence quotients dates back to the early 1900,s when the French psychologist Alfred Binet created the first intelligence test, later referred to as the Binet test. The modern IQ testing that people know today comes from a man named Henry Herbert Goddard. He translated the test to English from French, and he used it to test for basic intellectual functions.

There are many kinds of IQ tests, used mostly to test young children, but these could be used on adults as well. Sources explain that these tests include “the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Universal Nonverbal Intelligence, Differential Ability Scales, Peabody Individual Achievement Test, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Woodcock Johnson lll Tests of Cognitive Disabilities.” Surprisingly, all could yield different results.

Scoring of IQ tests are based on numbers where 100 is considered average. An IQ score of over 100 is considered above-average intelligence, while 130 or more is often associated with greater intelligence. These scores really only show the potential someone has. Scores that are below 100 are considered to be below average. Any scores 70 or below would pose concern to doctors. Doctors would then suggest further testing to be done if a score of 70 or less is received. Below is a chart which displays the standard accepted breakdown:

This reporter asked some students at Hubbard High School if they believed that IQ tests were a reliable resource for determining mental disabilities and/or intelligence. Sophomore Isaac Powell, said, “No. I don’t believe any sort of intelligence can be determined by any sort of test result or IQ.” Sophomore Dylan Durkos also added, “No not really, a certain test shouldn’t be able to tell how smart you are, or if you’re mentally handicapped or not. People are smart in different areas; intelligence should be measured by more than that.”

A better definition might be to say that Intelligence Quotient tests measure the amount of potential someone may have. Still potential, always, is not exactly measurable.  So don’t believe that an IQ is the great determiner of how “smart” someone actually is; this interpretation really doesn’t explain the entire truth or present the total picture.

Sources:

https://www.123test.com/what-is-iq-what-is-intelligence/

https://www.verywellmind.com/history-of-intelligence-testing-2795581

https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-full-form-of-IQ