Scope and Contents

The lecture outlines the concept and possible explanations for a differential birth rate, and the relationship between family size and intelligence. Thomson describes the purpose and findings of the Scottish Mental Surveys and follow-up studies.

Also includes invitation from the BBC to undertake the talk, and copy of the agreement form.

Scope and Contents Thomson outlines the purpose of intelligence testing, referring to his own work in Northumberland in 1919, which was to ensure clever children weren't being passed over for entry into secondary education as a result of their social background. In relation to this, Thomson talks about the benefits of standardisation of intelligence tests, and discusses the problem of coaching and how it can be overcome. Thomson also mentions a child who was tested and subsequently given a place in...

Scope and Contents Thomson discusses the limitations of intelligence testing, and its positive qualities, citing its objectivity and scientific basis. He outlines the processes involved in trialling the tests to establish their suitability and reliability, describing how the final order and content of the paper is decided; the difficulties involved in obtaining a representative sample of children; the need to incentivise children to do their best in the trial test, and the process of standardisation...

Scope and Contents The article explores the uses of intelligence testing in determining mental defects in young children; examinations at 11 (eleven-plus) to determine the child's future schooling; and testing for the purpose of administering vocational guidance. Thomson examines each of these three uses in turn, citing examples of the use of intelligence tests in England and Scotland. He explores some of the problems of testing for selection to secondary school, in particular the possibility of...

Scope and Contents Material regarding the Moray House Tests, c1920s-1970s; Northumberland Mental Tests, c1920s; Sample tests, 1920-1987; Testing Samples, United States, c1920s-1950s; Publications, 1896-c1978; Godfrey Thomson, c1930s-1947; Correspondence...

Scope and Contents Thomson discusses how intelligence is distributed between the various social or occupational levels of society. He explains the normal distribution of intelligence within the population, drawing parallels with the distribution of height. Thomson refers to inquiries carried out by him in Northumberland in 1922, and inquiries carried out in the Isle of Wight in 1924, which demonstrated that individual differences outweigh social differences, and supported the notion that heredity...

Scope and Contents Set of lecture notes titled G, regarding Spearman's Theory of Two Factors in relation to mathematical ability, with illustrative diagrams. The other set of notes relates to this, with further illustrative diagrams including the 9 point circle, and a graph regarding both Scottish Mental Surveys. These are mostly written on the back of minutes from the British Psychological Society business for council meeting, 1951, and minutes...

Scope and Contents

Rough notes which take the form of lists of topics and corresponding examples Thomson wishes to discuss, and includes notes regarding different mental tests; genetic aspects of intelligence; social classes; and vocational selection.

Scope and Contents The lecture was delivered to a wide audience, and is designed to be understood by non-statisticians, and non-educators. In it, Thomson explores the uses and limitations of statistics in both education and psychology, illustrating his points with examples of how an educator might effectively predict a child's performance and offer vocational guidance appropriate to their ability and intelligence. Thomson discusses the importance of obtaining a representative sample and the effect...

Scope and Contents

Thomson argues that the talents of the individual should be discovered and encouraged, rather than quashed because they are not intellectual enough. He discusses the uses of examinations and intelligence testing in discovering talent, and the need for tests of non-verbal as well as verbal ability.

The speech is written on the back of minutes from the National Committee for the training of Teachers.