Which of the following is NOT a misuse of Intelligence tests?

None of the above

Intelligence tests serve many useful purposes such as selection, counselling, guidance, self-analysis, and diagnosis. Unless used by a trained investigator, they may be misused either intentionally or unintentionally. Some of the ill-effects of intelligence testing by naive testers are:

• Poor performance on a test may attach a stigma to children and thereby adversely affect their performance and self-respect.

• The tests may invite discriminating practices from parents, teachers and elders in the society.

• Administering a test biased in favour of the middle class and higher class populations may underestimate the IQ of children coming from disadvantaged sections of the society.

• Intelligence tests do not capture creative potentialities and practical side of intelligence, and they also do not relate much to success in life. Intelligence can be a potential factor for achievement in various spheres of life.

One should guard against erroneous practices associated with intelligence tests and take the help of trained psychologists to analyse an individual’s strengths and weaknesses.