[misc.handicap] IQ

Verna.Forristal@f71.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Verna Forristal) (05/24/91)

Index Number: 15779

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]


 AS> Ah - we don't believe in IQ's, do we?

 We don't?

 AS> I don't as I think one can learn from reading and being around
 AS> people.  I've never felt any type of testing gives an accurate
 AS> picture of how much one knows or how good one is in a specific field,
 AS> especially since one can make outstanding grades in school and do so
 AS> poorly on aptitude tests.

Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but I'm a member of Mensa, and IQ can be
measured in a number of various areas using over 200 different tests, each of
which is geared to different people of different backgrounds, with different
life experiences.  Mensa will accept a score in the proper percentile bracket
on any of these tests, and a candidate need only have expertise in 1 field to
qualify.  If you score super in math, but get an 80 IQ rate in English,
Science, and Geography, you're still in.  I doubt that many geniuses through
history could have scored high in more than a few areas.  The standard
Weschler exam (in my opinion) only reflects the intelligence of a very small
minority who happen to have read the right books and are very good with manual
dexterity.  For the most part, I too am opposed to standardized IQ tests that
give an average IQ rating for many different skill areas.  I much prefer
specialization.  I would like to see more deafies in Mensa, but I think
perhaps they are daunted by the term IQ and their encounters with the Weschler
and other standardized general informational IQ tests.  If anyone would like
info on application, drop me a note.

I think, Ann, that you are an extremely bright lady, and that your reply was
an act of modesty.  I salute you!
