STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF MEASURING INTELLIGENCE

"When we can successfully measure intelligence, we shall have solved one of the most important problems of the present civilization," said Professor H. S. Langfeld, of the Psychology Department, speaking on the "Measurement of Intelligence" yesterday at the New Lecture Hall. Professor Langfeld stressed the imperfect nature of present tests, but declared that their usefulness would steadily increase as psychologists developed more accurate and comprehensive tests.

"Binet, whose standard work, 'An Experimental Study of Intelligence' was published in 1903, was," the speaker said, "the pioneer in attempts to measure the mental capacities of man, and he first realized the fallacy of believing that an individual's intelligence was the sum of his separate abilities. As well might one suppose the beauty of a picture is the sum of the aesthetic effects of the separate lines and colors.

Binet's Work Revised by Terman

"Binet first conceived the idea," the lecturer pointed out, "of devising a measuring scale upon norms from a large number of individuals. This method was revised and adapted by Professor Terman of Standard University, and the satisfactory results obtained have been a stimulus to the development of group intelligence tests.

"The Army tests of mental capacity were undoubtedly imperfect", Professor Langfeld said, "but they did serve as a rough measure of intelligence, and as such were very useful in eliminating the mentally unfit. These tests probably did injustice to many individuals, but did separate men into groups which served the purpose for which the tests were devised. It was found that nine out of ten men receiving an A or B in the examinations obtained commissions, while the chances of a C minus or D man obtaining a commission were extremely slight.

Present Tests Imperfect

"Although there is some disagreement among psychologists," the speaker stated, "the general opinion is that intelligence is the ability of the individual to adjust himself to new situations. Our present tests stress too much language ability and specific knowledge, and give a large advantage to those accustomed to the use of paper and pencil. We have not yet any means of measuring morals, will, conscientiousness, carefulness, confidence, and other such valuable characteristics. Too much should not be expected of the tests at the present time. It is in fact a wonder that so much has been accomplished in so short a time. Progress has been steady", the lecturer concluded, "and there is every indication that important improvements will continue to be made".

Next week Professor J. D. M. Ford '94, Smith Professor of the French and Spanish languages, will speak on the "Hispanic Languages".