The dark history of IQ tests - Stefan C. Dombrowski

Explore the history of IQ tests; how they measure a person’s intelligence and the ways they have been used to justify scientifically baseless ideologies.

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In 1905, psychologists Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon designed a test for children who were struggling in school in France. Designed to determine which children required individualized attention, their method formed the basis of the modern IQ test. So how do IQ tests work, and are they a true reflection of intelligence? Stefan C. Dombrowski explores how the tests have been used throughout history.

Lesson by Stefan C. Dombrowski, directed by Kozmonot Animation Studios.

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[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another.”
― Angela Duckworth

[mikevids]

Everyone saying the IQ test is flawed but would love to tell everyone that they got a 140 on it.

[Berries]

IQ test makers: Makes test to know which children need help in studies
Humans: Nice, a new tool I can use to discriminate

[FahadQaziii]

I wish school was more like this. If i was taught things with this much passion, detail and importance then I would’ve always paid attention

[iszychurch]

I’ve got a low IQ, I’m going to uni in September to study nursing, I was told I would never be able to do my GCSEs, I did them and passed. I’ve been tested loads for “issues” and disabilities, I can however excel at non-verbal reasoning though. 😊

[liamanderson]

"Famous quote"
― famous person

[stevesoprano]

5:41 "Individuals can't be categorized by a single numerical score" please someone say that to the school system!

[remitiras]

When I was 7 my school forced my mom to take me to an IQ test because they wanted to prove I have a learning disability. I scored 139. They decided on their on I have some sort of mental disability and I had regular meetings with the school psychologist where I just draw and played with a hamster, until my mom figure out what they are doing.
I didn't have any disability, I was just really bored in class so I didn't do any homework or participate that much, and I was a very sensitive kid so when the teachers got mad at me I used to hide under my table and cry.
This treatment caused me a lot of problems later on and some of them still effect me to this day, mostly mentally.
The school system is messed up. They think that if a kid doesn't learn like everyone else, it's because he they have a problem. I learned faster then most of my class, so I was bored of doing things I already knew over and over. Now I find it hard to finish assignments and learn properly because I never had to, and now that I need to I have no learning skills.
If instead of taking me out of class to play with hamsters they let me learn faster, I would most likely do better at uni now.

[AbhisarRawat]

"people who keep copy pasting my "iq quote" everywhere are assholes"
- Stephan Hawking

[uraniumn_]

i wanna show this to my IQ obsessed middle school math teacher for ruining little me's love for math and making bigger me have a panic attack whenever i see something that resembles a math question

[stevegaming]

The narrating, the animating, the details and the information included in Ted-ed's videos are very genuine and vivid.

[Shatterverse]

Yeah I had to do an "IQ test" for part of my depression diagnosis; it actually tracks visual problem solving, audio comprehension, short & long term memory, and comprehension. The point is to look for underlying factors that may contribute to my depression and past. As it happens, instead of having average values across the board, I have wildly high scores in some places, and average scores in others. As a consequence I take and process in more sensory data than most people, but my memory is slightly uneven, resulting in a learning deficit. It also explains why I tend to think out loud and notice a lot of random details. Sometimes I enjoy taking off my glasses just to give my brain (and eyes because eye strain sucks) a rest.

[jessicawest]

This reminds me of the Gifted program my elementary school had, in which some kids who scored high enough on IQ tests got to leave the classroom and do fun stuff like make books and have parties. Many parents and teachers hate this program. All the students can enjoy and benefit from fun learning activities, not just the ones who score highly on IQ tests. Besides, it's damaging. The kids in the Gifted program often get inflated egos while other children feel as though they are not "gifted, " all because of a flawed test that neglects to measure many other important qualities.

[realkabecio]

This is very relevant Info.I also love this animation style - its great for teaching facts of these kinds - the bright primary colors, geometric shapes and movement styles continually morph amongst themselves, yet accordingly to an intrinsic design scheme. And its consistent throughout the entire piece. It makes the learning so easy and it's like going on just a great fun ride!

[Arttojisannn]

Every time I watched Ted-Ed I can feel that my IQ increase.

[nylalaraib]

Man, the thing that makes Ted-Ed Stand out is its unique way of explaining and analyzing curious topics no one thinks about, and turning it into an amazing video for us to enjoy. Thank you Ted-Ed and continue dazzling our Imagination

[someoneovertherainbow]

im glad this is finally pointed out. i used to consider myself as a "smart" person since i did a great job academically. but i started to change my mind and i dont think that im brilliant anymore cause in fact there are so many friends of mine who have a lower academic score are incredibly intelligent than i am. so.. that's amazing dude

[floof_hair]

Scientists: you can't just use this test we designed for a very particular population at a specific point in time to test everyone for everything

The entire world: Haha test printer go brrrr

[Kurorito]

One day, my lecturer taught us, when suddenly our topic changed dramatically from prostitute's psychological well-being to IQ test.
I remember when he said this to us
"Only fools believe in IQ test. Your future ain't bound to mere numbers and calculation. Your life is better than that. You determine your own life, not those numbers."
Still, his words make huge impact upon my life.

[shauryashil]

3:50 I like how the graph line transitioned into Earth's outline..
I LOVE THIS ANIMATION STYLE