Does IQ measure ability for complex cognition?

Richardson, K.; Norgate, SH

Abstract

A popular conception of the “intelligence,” or g, thought to be measured by IQ tests, is that of
a cognitive “strength” variable that facilitates complex cognition such as reasoning and problem
solving. Yet test items seem remarkably un-complex when compared with everyday cognition.
Here, typical verbal and non-verbal test items are examined and arguments asserting their
complexity are challenged. In contrast, several lines of research indicate how “real life” cognition
is much more complex than that required by such items. The claim that an IQ-job performance
correlation is stronger for more complex jobs is also challenged. This leads to the suggestion
that other sources of variance, including cultural, affective, and other non-cognitive factors, may
explain differences in test performance. An alternative explanation for the still-puzzling “Flynn
effect” is proposed, with the idea that IQ differences reflect cultural “distance” (from possibly
equal, but different, complexities) rather than a universal cognitive “strength.”

Citation

Richardson, K., & Norgate, S. (2014). Does IQ measure ability for complex cognition?. Theory and Psychology, 24(6), 795-812. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354314551163

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 24, 2014
• Journal: Theory & Psychology
• Print ISSN: 0959-3543
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7447
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 795-812
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354314551163
• Keywords: affective, class, complex cognition, culture, intelligence, motivation
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0959354314551163
• Related Public URLs: http://www.uk.sagepub.com/journals/Journal200895