Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction

This book is outstanding in all respects, and perhaps the best book I've read so far in the VSI series.Deary has a marvellously chatty writing style which makes the book easy, quick, and enjoyable to read, yet he doesn't compromise even one iota of precision.As far as the book's content, Deary wisely takes the reader through a tour of several research studies, so that we can see firsthand how working conclusions about intelligence are reached, including the substantial limitations and uncertainties which accompany those conclusions. He perceptively helps us interpret those conclusions, and I found him to be fair and balanced in doing so.A major conclusion I took from the book is that there IS such a thing as general intelligence, which is largely genetically determined and which particularly relates to various analytic "mental gymnastics" sorts of cognitive tasks. But general intelligence doesn't seem to relate much to personality, interpersonal skills, creativity, motivation, practicality, wisdom, etc. It doesn't even seem to relate that much to overall likelihood of succeeding and being fulfilled in life. In other words, "general" intelligence isn't all that general. I think the book could ideally have more strongly emphasized the limitations in what general intelligence can tell us and predict (see my December 30, 2008 review of  Outliers: The Story of Success  by Malcom Gladwell for more on this).Also, in the beginning of the book, where correlation is discussed, I think more discussion about the difference between correlation and causation would have been helpful. That is, correlation between A and B implies that either (1) A causally influences B, (2) B causally influences A, (3) A and B causally influence each other, as in a feedback process, (4) both A and B are causally influenced by a "common cause" C, or (5) the correlation is due to random chance, especially in cases of inadequate sample size. These distinctions were implied throughout the book, but it would have been nice to make them explicit right at the outset.Overall though, this is certainly an outstanding book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in intelligence, success, education, parenting, hiring, etc.

"Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction" by Ian J. Deary. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2001. ISBN: 978-0-19-289321-5. PC 132 pgs. 6 3/4" x 4 3/8". Contents: 1- to see `g' or not to see `g', 2- Ageing & Intelligence. 3- Brainy. 4- They f- you up, your mum & dad. 5- The (b)right man for the job. 6- The lands of the rising IQ. 7- Eleven (not-so-) angry men (and women). Illustrations, 26.Author Deary is Professor of Differential Psychology at Univ. Edinburgh & President of the International Soc. for Study of Individual Differences, a relatively new branch of psychology that looks at differences in personality and intelligence. In his book, Prof. Deary did not join those divisionary camps of emotional furor by discussing racial IQ disparities nor opining on existence of racial groups: rather he focuses on the question of what intelligence means, the various approaches at measuring intelligence(s) and what methods may be used to verify the results of intelligence tests. He provides clarity in discussing the hierarchy of mental ability scores, i.e., Verbal comprehension, Perceptual organization, Processing speed, and Working memory, which comprise `g'.Unique, perhaps, is his well-researched presentation of studies comparing intelligence of peoples as they age and the need to revise the content of tests over the course of several decades, the "Flynn effect". For readers interested in delving further into the complex issues embracing definition and measurement of intelligence(s), Deary's book is an ideal place to start.

Deary presents a series of experimental results, or 'datasets', each illustrating an aspect of human intelligence or, to be more precise, intelligence differences. They are: the different types of intelligence and how they correlate; intelligence and aging; the causes of intelligence differences; the relative influences of genes and environment; the use of intelligence tests in recruitment; finally, the vexed question of why intelligence test scores have increased so markedly in recent decades.This approach - basing each topic on study results - makes for an objective and solidly scientific survey.Deary avoids the most contentious issue of all, that of differences in intelligence between different groups. In the final chapter, where he discusses the American Psychological Association's Task Force report, he mentions that the report addresses differences 'based upon the sexes and ethnic groups. I have not dealt with these topics in the present book and I recommend the Task Force's treatment of these at times controversial issues.' In other words, he chickened out, but who can blame him? An academic can get into a lot of trouble these days just by reporting well-attested but politically incorrect data.He references the APA report a lot, strongly recommending it as follow-up reading to this book, and providing a link to a free online copy. I tried the link and it is still active.Deary writes very well, although his insistence on 'funny' chapter titles is a little wearing. The book was first published in 2001, so it might be time for an update. Minor quibbles like that aside, this book is an excellent introduction to a fascinating subject.[PeterReeve]

You know you're in for a good scientific account that actually makes sense when the book starts with "A word about correlation" (explaining the phenomenon in mathematical statistics). The book is very readable, and explains scientific terminology as needed (but keeps its usage to a minimum).The definition of intelligence under consideration is briefly discussed on page 16: "What no one doubts is that tests of mental abilities do not assess all important aspects of brain function, let alone all important human qualities. [...] But that proper point is not the same as saying that they are useless."Although I would have personally liked to see more of this discussion, I suppose that's hard to give a scientific account of.

It is really small book and it is going into the point of the topic. it fit in hand bag that you can travel with it and read on the go. I like it.

A good read, if you want to information without getting confused. Written clearly by someone that knows how to communicate.

Very good book

highly recommended if you are interested in any way in intelligence for any reason