CBSE Class 12 Psychology NCERT Solutions: Chapter 9 - Intelligence

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Chapter 9 introduces the multifaceted concept of Intelligence. We explore foundational definitions, including Wechsler's view of intelligence as the global capacity to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment. The chapter details the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) test, developed by John C. Raven, explaining that 'standard' refers to its widespread use and 'progressive' to the increasing difficulty of items. This test is designed to measure the eductive aspect of the general intelligence factor ('g'), focusing on fluid intelligence. Key concepts like mental age and the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) are clarified, along with the formula for calculating IQ and its characteristics. The chapter also distinguishes between different types of intelligence tests, such as culture-fair tests, which aim to minimize cultural bias, and performance tests, speed tests, and power tests, each assessing different facets of cognitive ability. These solutions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding for effective exam preparation.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	Psychology
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 9

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Psychology, Chapter 9, offers a clear explanation of intelligence. It defines intelligence, discusses its characteristics, and elaborates on the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) test, including its purpose and structure. Key concepts like mental age, IQ, and the formula for IQ calculation are explained. The chapter also distinguishes between different types of intelligence tests, such as culture-fair, performance, speed, and power tests, providing relevant examples. This resource aids students in understanding the foundational aspects of intelligence testing as per the CBSE curriculum.

Learning outcomes

Understand the definition and components of intelligence.
Explain the concept of mental age and IQ.
Identify the author and purpose of the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM).
Differentiate between various types of intelligence tests.
Recall the formula for calculating IQ.
Understand the meaning of eductive component of 'g' factor.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Definition of Intelligence
Components of Intelligence (Rational Thinking, Effective Dealing, Purposeful Action)
Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)
Author of SPM (J.C. Raven)
Meaning of 'Standard' and 'Progressive' in SPM
Eductive Component of 'g' factor
Mental Age (MA)
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Formula for IQ
Features of IQ
Types of Intelligence Tests (Culture Fair, Performance, Speed, Power)
Examples of Intelligence Tests

Important topics

Definition and Components of Intelligence
Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)
Mental Age and IQ Calculation
Types of Intelligence Tests
Eductive Component of 'g' factor

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What is intelligence?

Solution: Intelligence is defined as a comprehensive and overall ability that enables an individual to think logically, manage situations effectively, and behave with a clear objective. This definition, proposed by Wechsler, highlights the multifaceted nature of intelligence, encompassing rational thought, practical problem-solving, and goal-directed actions.

Question 2

What do you mean by capacity?

Solution: When referring to intelligence as a 'capacity', it implies that intelligence is an innate potential that individuals are born with. However, it is also acknowledged that this inborn potential is significantly shaped and developed through the interplay of genetic factors (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) throughout a person's life.

Question 3

What do you understand by term 'think rationally'?

Solution: To 'think rationally' in the context of intelligence means that the cognitive processes involved are logical, coherent, and relevant to the situation at hand. Intelligent thinking follows a systematic and sensible approach, avoiding illogical leaps or irrelevant considerations.

Question 4

What do you understand by the term 'deal effectively'?

Solution: To 'deal effectively' refers to a person's ability to adapt and adjust to their environment and its demands. An intelligent individual possesses a range of strategies and solutions to successfully cope with challenges and meet the requirements of various situations, demonstrating adaptability and resourcefulness.

Question 5

What do you understand by the 'act purposefully'?

Solution: Acting purposefully means that intellectual activities are directed towards achieving specific goals. Intelligent behavior is not random; it is intentional and focused on accomplishing desired outcomes or objectives.

Question 6

Who is author of Standard Progressive Matrices?

Solution: The author of the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) is J.C. Raven, who was from England.

Question 7

Why term 'standard' has been used in SPM?

Solution: The term 'standard' is used in SPM because it represents the original, foundational version of the test. From this standard version, other related tests, such as the Advanced Progressive Matrices and the Coloured Progressive Matrices, have been developed and adapted.

Question 8

Why the term progressive has been used?

Solution: The term 'progressive' is used in the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) because the items within the test are systematically arranged in order of increasing difficulty. This progression allows for a more nuanced assessment of an individual's abilities as the challenges become more complex.

Question 9

What does SPM measure?

Solution: The Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) primarily measures general intelligence, often referred to as the 'g-factor'. It is particularly effective for comparing individuals based on their immediate capacity for observation and clear thinking. The test specifically assesses the 'eductive' component of the 'g' factor, which relates to the ability to perceive relationships and forge new insights.

Question 10

What do you mean by eductive component of 'g'?

Solution: The 'eductive' component of the 'g' factor refers to the ability to develop or discover new insights and to understand the meaning and relationships between different elements. It is the capacity for novel problem-solving and grasping new concepts, rather than simply recalling learned information.

Question 11

Why term 'Matrices' has been used?

Solution: The term 'Matrices' is used because the problems presented in the test are in the form of designs and patterns, typically arranged in a grid or matrix format. The task involves identifying the missing element or the underlying rule within these visual patterns.

Question 12

How many items are there in SPM?

Solution: The Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) consists of a total of 60 items. These items are organized into five distinct sets, with each set containing 12 individual items.

Question 13

What is the scoring procedure of SPM?

Solution: The scoring procedure for the SPM involves the following steps:

All answers are checked for correctness using a provided scoring key.
The total number of correct answers is calculated for each of the five sets.
The scores from all sets are summed to obtain a total score.
The obtained total score is compared against an expected score table to identify any significant discrepancies or patterns.
Finally, corresponding percentile ranks and grades are determined using the test manual based on the total score.

Question 14

What is mental age?

Solution: Mental age is a concept used to measure an individual's intellectual functioning in terms of age norms. It represents the level of cognitive development typically associated with a particular age. This concept was originally introduced by Alfred Binet.

Question 15

What is IQ?

Solution: IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is not intelligence itself but rather a standardized score derived from intelligence tests. It is calculated as a ratio that compares an individual's mental age to their chronological age. The concept of IQ was developed by William Stern.

Question 16

Name two features of IQ.

Solution: Two key features of IQ are:

Relative Constancy: An individual's IQ score tends to remain relatively stable over time and does not typically increase significantly with age after reaching maturity.
Average Score: The average IQ score is standardized to be 100, representing the mean level of intellectual functioning within a population.

Question 17

What is the formula of IQ?

Solution: The formula for calculating the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is:

$IQ = \frac{\text{Mental Age (MA)}}{\text{Chronological Age (CA)}} \times 100$

Question 18

Why we multiply by 100?

Solution: We multiply the ratio of Mental Age (MA) to Chronological Age (CA) by 100 to express the IQ score in a more understandable format, similar to a percentage, and to avoid dealing with decimal values. This standardization makes the scores easier to interpret and compare across different individuals.

Question 19

What is culture fair test?

Solution: A culture-fair test is an intelligence assessment designed to be free from cultural bias. It aims to measure cognitive abilities without discriminating against individuals based on their specific cultural background, experiences, or language. The Raven's Progressive Matrices (RSPM) is an example of a culture-fair test.

Question 20

What is performance test of intelligence?

Solution: A performance test of intelligence is a type of assessment where the role of language is minimized or eliminated. These tests require the individual to perform specific tasks that involve overt motor responses rather than verbal ones. An example of a performance test is Bhatia's Battery of intelligence tests.

Question 21

What are speed tests? Give example.

Solution: Speed tests are intelligence assessments where the scoring is based on both the accuracy of the responses and the speed at which the test is completed. These tests typically have a time limit, and performance is evaluated by how many items are correctly answered within that time. Examples include the Stanford Binet Test or the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) when administered under timed conditions.

Question 22

What is a power test? Give example.

Solution: A power test is an intelligence assessment where the scoring is based solely on the accuracy of the answers, regardless of the time taken to complete the test. These tests are designed to measure the extent of an individual's knowledge or abilities, with time not being a limiting factor. The Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM) is a classic example of a power test.

Question 23

What is a battery?

Solution: In the context of psychological testing, a battery refers to a collection or set of multiple tests administered together to assess various aspects of an individual's abilities or characteristics.

Question 24

Name one individual verbal intelligence test.

Solution: The Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale is a well-known example of an individual verbal intelligence test.

Question 25

Name an intelligence test which is verbal, non-verbal as well as performance test.

Solution: Wechsler's Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) is an example of an intelligence test that incorporates verbal, non-verbal, and performance components, providing a comprehensive assessment of cognitive abilities.

Question 26

Name one group verbal intelligence test?

Solution: The General Mental Ability Test (GMAT) developed by Dr. Mohsin is an example of a group verbal intelligence test.

Common mistakes

Confusing IQ with intelligence itself.
Not understanding the difference between speed and power tests.
Misinterpreting 'capacity' as solely inborn without considering environmental influences.
Difficulty in recalling specific test names and their authors.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the core definition of intelligence and its components.
Memorize the formula for IQ and practice calculating it.
Differentiate clearly between the various types of intelligence tests (culture-fair, performance, speed, power).
Note down the authors and key features of prominent intelligence tests like SPM and WAIS.
Review the meaning of terms like 'mental age' and 'eductive component'.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is credited with the definition of intelligence as an 'aggregate and global capacity to think rationally, deal effectively and act purposefully'?

Q2. What does the term 'progressive' signify in the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM)?

Q3. The eductive component of the 'g' factor refers to:

Q4. Which of the following is a key feature of IQ?

Q5. A test where language is minimized and requires motor responses is known as a:

Q6. What is the primary purpose of multiplying the ratio of Mental Age (MA) to Chronological Age (CA) by 100?

Frequently asked questions

What is intelligence according to Wechsler?

According to Wechsler, intelligence is defined as an aggregate and global capacity of an individual to think rationally, deal effectively with the environment, and act purposefully.

What is the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) test?

The Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) is an intelligence test developed by J.C. Raven, designed to measure the eductive component of the 'g' factor, focusing on power of observation and clear thinking with items arranged in increasing difficulty.

How is IQ calculated?

IQ is calculated using the formula: (Mental Age / Chronological Age) x 100. This ratio provides a standardized measure of intellectual functioning relative to one's age group.

What is the difference between a speed test and a power test?

Speed tests are scored based on both the number of correct answers and the time taken, emphasizing quickness. Power tests, on the other hand, are scored solely on accuracy, with time being a less critical factor.

What is a culture-fair test?

A culture-fair test is designed to minimize the influence of cultural background on test performance, ensuring that examinees are not discriminated against based on their cultural experiences. RSPM is an example.

Why is multiplying the MA/CA ratio by 100 important?

Multiplying by 100 converts the ratio into a percentage-like score and avoids dealing with decimals, making the IQ score easier to interpret and compare.

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