Online Glossary

 

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

The intelligence quotient (IQ) reflects the intellectual capability of a person compared with other people who speak the same native language and who are in the same age group (reference group).

The IQ is obtained by examining the distribution of abilities as recorded in the intelligence test: The IQ is defined as the deviation of a person’s individual test score from the mean score of 100. The IQ score plays an important role in the assessment of giftedness. High IQ scores of over 130 occur in around 2% of the population and are associated—alongside other factors—with the existence of giftedness.

The authors Nicole Miceli and Anne-Kathrin Stiller have developed this glossary together with the Fachportal Team. The glossary was translated by Daniel Shatwell and edited by Lisa Trierweiler.