Research Paper
APA: Han, R., Shi, J., Young, W., & Wang, W. (2012) Intelligence and Prosocial Behavior: Do Smart Children Really Act Nice?. Current Psychology, 31(1), 88-101.doi:10.1007/s12144-012-9133-6
Intelligence and Prosocial Behavior
The authors in this particular article sought out to find whether or not there could be a true correlation between individuals of higher intelligence and altruistic behavior. Upon review of the commentary from previous psychologist studying similar topics, most of the results were inconclusive. Hong, Shi, Yong, and Wang carried out three different studies in hopes of pinpointing which tasks, ranging from easy to difficult would yield the greatest “prosocial” type of behavior in young children. Anther key aspect of their research included theorizing the Evolutionary Theory and its influence on particular characteristic traits. They attribute improved phenotypic traits to the evolution of humans in today’s society. Survival of the fittest embodies the idea that the more viable a trait the better chance an organism has of surviving and producing off-springs that carry on those traits. However in regards to survival of the fittest, closely related to evolution, do some people view a “nicer” approach to others in order to gain from them and better their status in life? This question among others were proposed and tested in this study. Fortunately, a good majority of the article’s background information was easily relatable to prior knowledge I’ve acquired from completed biology courses and this psychology class. In Introducing Psychology chapter seven gives insight into the concept of IQ, how it was created, and what applications we still use today. According to the textbook one of the first tests created for intelligence was the ratio intelligence quotient. Binet and Simon, “develop[ed] an objective test that would provide an unbiased measure of a child’s ability.” (Pg. 214) Thirty simple tasks were accumulated and put onto one test and
Intelligence and Prosocial Behavior
The authors in this particular article sought out to find whether or not there could be a true correlation between individuals of higher intelligence and altruistic behavior. Upon review of the commentary from previous psychologist studying similar topics, most of the results were inconclusive. Hong, Shi, Yong, and Wang carried out three different studies in hopes of pinpointing which tasks, ranging from easy to difficult would yield the greatest “prosocial” type of behavior in young children. Anther key aspect of their research included theorizing the Evolutionary Theory and its influence on particular characteristic traits. They attribute improved phenotypic traits to the evolution of humans in today’s society. Survival of the fittest embodies the idea that the more viable a trait the better chance an organism has of surviving and producing off-springs that carry on those traits. However in regards to survival of the fittest, closely related to evolution, do some people view a “nicer” approach to others in order to gain from them and better their status in life? This question among others were proposed and tested in this study. Fortunately, a good majority of the article’s background information was easily relatable to prior knowledge I’ve acquired from completed biology courses and this psychology class. In Introducing Psychology chapter seven gives insight into the concept of IQ, how it was created, and what applications we still use today. According to the textbook one of the first tests created for intelligence was the ratio intelligence quotient. Binet and Simon, “develop[ed] an objective test that would provide an unbiased measure of a child’s ability.” (Pg. 214) Thirty simple tasks were accumulated and put onto one test and