The Development of Intelligence

Summary

The Development of Intelligence is an attempt to influence the next generation who will research the central question of this book - what is the nature of intelligence and how does it develop? The book provides a contemporary review of methods and theories of the development of intellectual abilities from infancy to adulthood by the major researchers in the field. It is unusual, because edited books usually bring together a collection of researchers who publish in the same journals, attend the same conferences and so on. In this case, the contributors come from quite different research areas with different approaches. The editor deliberately selected a group of eminent researchers with diverse and often conflicting theoretical orientations who use a wide range of different research methodologies. Consequently, there is coverage of a range of topics not usually found in a single book, including: the measurement of intelligence; infancy predictors of later IQ differences; developmental behaviour genetics; theories of cognitive change; general intelligence and specific abilities; multiple intelligences; savant syndrome; cognitive development in the intellectually disabled; and intervention studies. A concluding chapter by the editor pulls together the main themes generated by the contributors and sets out a new research agenda for developmental studies of intellectual abilities.

Table of Contents

Preface. List of Contributors. Introduction. M. Anderson, Project Development - The Shape of Things to Come. Part I: The Assessment of Intelligence in Development. I. Styles, The Study of Intelligence - The Interplay Between Theory and Measurement. J. Colombo, J. Frick, Recent Advances and Issues in the Study of Preverbal Intelligence. Part II: Behaviour Genetics. D. Hay, The Developmental Genetics of Intelligence. J.S. Reznick, R. Corley, What Twins Can Tell Us About the Development of Intelligence - A Case Study. Part III: Theories of Intellectual Development. B. Torff, H. Gardner, The Vertical Mind - The Case for Multiple Intelligences. H. Davis, M. Anderson, Intelligence and Development - One Dimension or Two? G. Halford, The Development of Intelligence Includes the Capacity to Process Relations of Greater Complexity. F. Dempster, A. Corkhill, Neo-interference Research and the Development of Intelligence. Part IIII: Accelerated and Decelerated Development. T. Nettelbeck, Savant Syndrome - Rhyme Without Reason. H.H. Spitz, Attempts to Raise Intelligence. R.M. Hodapp, E. Ziegler, Intellectual Development and Mental Retardation - Some Continuing Controversies. Part V: Conclusion. M. Anderson, Project Development - Taking Stock.

Reviews

'The Development of Intelligence contains a useful set of contributions to this topic.' - Michael J.A Howe, University of Exeter

'This volume is one of the most intellectually ambitious books I have read in a long time, and certainly the most satisfying of any of the edited volumes I have read hitherto. The editor and authors are to be congratulated on producing a seamless flow of chapters whose coverage is both penetrating and comprehensive. I personally learned a great deal from many of the chapters I find it difficult to conceive of a book that would be simultaneously more comprehensive and accessible than this volume.' - Dr J.D. Demetre (University of Greenwich)

'Overall, the chapters in this book are a wonderful introduction to the field of intelligence. It is a socially highly responsible book at a time when there is a deal of social irresponsibility around the topic of intelligence. There are a number of clear introductions to the field for the undergraduate, a challenge of reconciling various stylistic positions and various theoretical positions and a framework within which this diversity can be comprehended.' - Professor John Morton (MRC Cognitive Development Unit and University College London)

'Excitement generated by intelligence research approaches that generated by issues of sex and money, because deep down people understand that intelligence is important, it always has been, and it always will be. Anderson and his colleagues' work provides a rational and clear-headed overview of the scientific study of this valued attribute. If you want to learn something about it, then this book is a good place to start.' - APA Review of Books

'Anderson's lively writing and vision as editor make this book successful in achieving its goal of summarizing what is known about the developmental nature of intelligence for newcomers to the field.' - Intelligence