An assessment of gender intelligence

Standardized tests measure one's ability to answer mainly multiple-choice questions, and generally measure one's familiarity with the English language and mathematics. Similarly, IQ tests measure the ability to understand complex concepts and analysis information. These tests provide a score known as an intelligence quotient, or IQ. Using a child's mental age and dividing it by the child's chronological age calculates IQ scores. The result of this division is then multiplied by 100 to receive the child's IQ. The IQ test has been praised by many as an excellent way of seeing what children are above or below the norm; however it has also been greatly criticized. The IQ test can be culturally biased, it measures only mathematical and language comprehension and disregards emotional intelligence completely. Therefore, the intelligence it measures is the American norm and it pushes away students with knowledge that is superior in other categories (Grambs 1991). Wechsler tests, which are similar to the other intelligence tests previously stated, tests for specific information, generally incorporating common knowledge and basic education.
             Marsha Obringer (1995) experiment on multiple intelligences, which can be tested through the tests previously described, found that males preformed better on all tests. Obringer suggests that this is due to males receiving more attention in both school settings and at home. Males are perceived by the American culture as superior, and therefore they are shaped by society to be more intelligent. In addition to this conclusion, Obringer looked at other influences of intelligence and they concluded that intelligence is also largely based on self-estimates, which will be discussed later. All of these estimates combine to place individuals in particular social roles (Obringer 1995).
             Differences in perceived intelligence stems from forced social roles. Tock Keng Lim pointed out in 1993 that historically female roles have revolved around child rearing and domestic labor, stressing skills of nurturing and managing relationships.