The formula to calculate the Intelligence Quotient is quite simple. The IQ score is derived by dividing the mental age of an individual by their chronological age and multiplying the by 100. The concept of mental age was introduced by the French psychologist Alfred Binet, who developed the first IQ test in 1905.
Mental Age is defined as the age group in which an individual’s cognitive abilities match the average abilities of that age group. For example, a 10-year-old child who performs as well as the average 10-year-old child in an IQ test is said to have a mental age of 10. Similarly, if a 16-year-old performs as well as the average 12-year-old child, then their mental age is 12.
Chronological Age, on the other hand, is the actual age of an individual in years. It is calculated by subtracting the year of birth from the current year. For example, if a person was born in 1991, their chronological age in 2021 would be 30.
Once both Mental Age and Chronological Age are known, the IQ score can be calculated using the following formula:
IQ = (Mental Age / Chronological Age) x 100
Suppose a child has a mental age of 12 and a chronological age of 10. The IQ score of the child can be calculated as follows:
IQ = (12 / 10) x 100 = 120
An IQ score of 100 is considered average, which means that the individual’s cognitive abilities are similar to the average abilities of their peers. Scores above 100 are considered above average, while scores below 100 are considered below average. An IQ score of 130 and above is considered to be exceptionally high, indicating superior cognitive abilities.
It is important to note that IQ tests are not the only measure of intelligence, and they have their limitations. IQ tests can only assess a narrow range of cognitive skills, and they do not account for other factors that contribute to intelligence, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and practical intelligence. The cultural bias of IQ tests also poses a challenge in cross-cultural assessments of intelligence. Finally, IQ scores can be influenced by factors such as motivation, test anxiety, and testing conditions.
In conclusion, the Intelligence Quotient is calculated by dividing an individual’s Mental Age by their Chronological Age and multiplying by 100. While IQ tests are widely used to assess cognitive abilities, they have their limitations and are not a comprehensive measure of intelligence. It is essential to be aware of the limitations of IQ tests when interpreting the results and to consider other factors that contribute to an individual’s overall intelligence.