Lewis Terman

Definition

Lewis Terman was an American psychologist best known for his work on intelligence testing and the development of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, a widely used measure of intelligence. His research and contributions were influential in the field of psychology, particularly in the area of assessing and understanding human intelligence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lewis Terman was a professor of psychology at Stanford University and is considered one of the pioneers of intelligence testing and the study of gifted individuals.
2. Terman's work on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, which he revised and standardized, became one of the most widely used intelligence tests in the world.
3. Terman's longitudinal study of gifted children, known as the 'Terman Study of the Gifted,' followed a group of high-IQ individuals from childhood to adulthood, providing valuable insights into the development and characteristics of intellectually gifted people.
4. Terman's research on gifted individuals challenged the popular belief that intellectual giftedness was associated with physical and mental health problems, demonstrating that gifted children were generally well-adjusted and healthy.
5. Terman's work on intelligence testing and the identification of gifted individuals had a significant impact on the field of education, leading to the development of specialized programs and curricula for high-achieving students.

Review Questions

• Describe the key contributions of Lewis Terman to the field of intelligence testing.
  • Lewis Terman's most significant contribution to the field of intelligence testing was the development and standardization of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, which became one of the most widely used intelligence tests in the world. Terman's work on the Stanford-Binet Scale helped to establish intelligence quotient (IQ) as a standardized measure of cognitive abilities, and his research on the characteristics and development of gifted individuals had a profound impact on the field of gifted education.
• Explain how Terman's research on gifted individuals challenged prevailing beliefs about the relationship between intellectual giftedness and physical/mental health.
  • Prior to Terman's research, there was a widespread belief that intellectual giftedness was associated with physical and mental health problems. However, Terman's longitudinal study of gifted children, known as the 'Terman Study of the Gifted,' challenged this notion. Terman's research demonstrated that gifted children were generally well-adjusted and healthy, dispelling the myth that intellectual giftedness was linked to negative outcomes. This finding had significant implications for the way gifted individuals were perceived and the development of educational programs and support systems tailored to their unique needs.
• Discuss the lasting impact of Lewis Terman's work on the field of psychology and education.
  • Lewis Terman's contributions to the field of psychology and education have had a lasting impact. His development and standardization of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, which became a widely used measure of cognitive abilities, helped to establish intelligence testing as a valuable tool for understanding and assessing human intelligence. Additionally, Terman's research on gifted individuals and the characteristics of high-IQ individuals influenced the field of gifted education, leading to the creation of specialized programs and curricula designed to meet the unique needs of intellectually gifted students. Terman's work also contributed to a better understanding of the relationship between intellectual giftedness and overall health and well-being, challenging prevailing beliefs and shaping the way we perceive and support high-achieving individuals.

Related terms

Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale:

A widely used intelligence test developed by Lewis Terman, which measures various cognitive abilities and provides an intelligence quotient (IQ) score.

Gifted Education: The educational approach that focuses on meeting the unique needs and fostering the development of intellectually gifted and talented students, an area of study that was greatly influenced by Terman's work on identifying and understanding high-IQ individuals.

Intelligence Quotient (IQ): A score derived from standardized intelligence tests, such as the Stanford-Binet, that represents a person's cognitive abilities relative to their age group, a concept that was central to Terman's research and the development of intelligence testing.