Too smart for the intelligence test
One of the goals for our revision of the intelligence test, I believe, was to get more accurate results for people on the ends of the spectrum; people with very good brains and very bad brains. So the researchers were particularly interested in results from tests given to mentally retarded people, people with closed head injuries, and highly educated people.
The discussion question about government was one of the most interesting. I can’t tell you the question, of course (or you could boost your IQ scores and I could get in trouble), but it basically asks, “Why does the government do a certain thing?
Why the government does what it does, and what right it has to do it and what does it have the right to do, is a topic of vigorous debate. Those with closed head injuries sometimes couldn’t answer the question at all.
But what answers did we get from those considered most intelligent? “Why does the government do a certain thing?” Several former college professors responded, in effect “Beats me.”
“Beats me” wasn’t on our list of approved answers. At least one retired professor followed it with “But I know I’m supposed to say..” and got a perfect score on the question. From his extensive academic background, he knew how to answer stupid questions. Another former professor apparently thought the question was so stupid he didn’t even bother elaborating on “Beats me”.
I guess when you’re retired, you have certain prerogatives. But it seems strange that one of the most intelligent answers to the question got no points at all.
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