IQ Testing 101 (The Psych 101 Series)

"IQ Testing 101" is not a book about how to administer IQ tests, and it's certainly not about how to take them. Rather, it's a detailed, authoritative examination of the history of efforts to measure intelligence, how changing theories of intelligence have affected testing, and what the results of intelligence research suggest about heritability, aging, the "Flynn Effect," and other "hot topics." Since the author worked with the IQ-testing giant David Wechsler and is himself the creator of several widely used intelligence tests, he is able to invest the book with an engaging personal tone that keeps all the explanations of methodologies and data from becoming dry (it also helps that he's a superior writer).One of my favorite aspects of the book was the great number of research studies that Kaufman summarizes, giving the reader a deep as well as broad understanding of the experimental findings that underlie the various positions on intelligence-related issues. As a true scientist, he not only focuses on research that comports with his own leanings, but also brings adverse findings to our attention. In that respect, the book is a high-level survey of the literature on a wealth of intelligence-related topics.

I think this is an excellent book to be read by any new psychologist who is just learning to assess people with an individually administered intelligence test. I benefited from reading it, and I have had many years experience. It helped to bring me up to date on more recent developments in the theory associated with intelligence testing. For instance, it explains CHC theory and its impact on test development and interpretation. It destroys the myth that there is something intrinsic called IQ that resides in each person's brain. It addresses the issue of errors of measurement and explains the sources of variability with IQ testing. It defends the use of IQ tests for assessing learning disabilities, and other important school school and clinical decisions. It criticizes the application of bad research and theory to societal decisions, for instance the extensive regulation prohibiting the use of lead based paint.This book, written by a sophisticated test developer, is appropriate for the interested layman, as well as the practicing professional psychologist, and is easy to read.

Very informative

Great book - you'll be surprised that Dr. Kaufman has a sense of humor and will be sure to smile and maybe even laugh out loud!

This book was perfect- just what I needed as a special educator to better understand the evaluation process.

Well written, an easy read, and very informative.

Product was exactly as described and arrived quickly!

I honestly don't know where to start. This begins as a splendidly thorough, articulate, informed, "insider" narrative about the development of IQ testing. Within the story you get remarkable insights into what intelligence could, should, and might possibly mean as well as explicit, data-based information on all the controversial aspects of IQ and its measurement. It also ends up providing some incredible training in research methods, but in a way that seems relevant and painless. Along the way it becomes more and more personal, until there's a camaraderie with the reader that shows a great deal of warmth. By the time most baby boomers (or their children!) reach the chapter on IQ and aging, I would bet they'd find the conclusions a heartfelt, realistic relief.