Indigenous Intelligence And Cognitive Analysis

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Passer and Smith (2015) described intelligence to be defined by culture. So if culture is an underlying factor of intelligence it can become a problematic issue when assessing Indigenous Australians. Gardener’s multiple intelligence theory, along with Charles Spearman’s g factor theory and Lewis Terman Standford-Binet scales are all underlying theories which all address the same issues in the accuracy of assessments. Literature suggest that language, literacy skills, education and cultural norms across Western and Indigenous culture differ which can result in an inaccuracy of intelligent and cognitive assessments.

Intelligent and cognitive assessments: the accuracy of results on Indigenous Australians
Intelligence can be a difficult
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The famous standard intelligence quotient (IQ) test is one of the many ways in which one can assess intelligence through Lewis Terman Stanford-Binet scales (Passer & Smith, 2015). Another way to test intelligence is through the use of cognitive assessments. Cognitive assessments assess the nature of attention, conscious and unconscious processes which influence behaviour (Passer &Smith, 2015). The Kimberly Indigenous cognitive assessment is a tool used when assessing dementia and cognitive impairment (Smith et al., 2009). However, when testing and assessing Indigenous Australians problems arises as assessment may not accurately demonstrate Aboriginals full potential, due to a variety of barriers between Western and Indigenous …show more content…
Charles Spearman concluded that it is the g factor or general intelligence determined intellectual performance and certain actives that require special abilities (Passer & Smith, 2015). However, this can become problematic when assessing the accuracy of intelligence as the g factor measure mental intelligence which can become difficult to assess in Indigenous cultures. The Raven standard progressive matrices (RSPM) test is recognised to show the most accuracy when assessing the measure of general intelligence (Arce-Ferrer & Guzman, 2009). The RSPM is unique as it has limited reliance on language which is a common barrier that affects accuracy of indigenous testing (Lynn, Backhoffn & Contreras, 2004). The RSPM is a non-verbal assessment on fluid intelligence, looking at patterns and relationships between objects (Carpenter, Just & Shell, 1990). The RSPM is a way of measuring mental capacity of Indigenous culture that is also measured by traditional IQ testing of Western culture (Jensen, 1998). This demonstrates the accuracy of the assessment as it is not hindered by cultural differences as it measures the same mental capacity in both cultures. This proves both a strength and a limitation on the accuracy of the assessment. The RSPM creates a challenge when tailoring knowledge and kinds of skills that are valued amongst Indigenous culture to measure forms of intelligence (Passer &

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