Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Which of the following explain(s) the increasing stability of IQ?
A. Environment stability
B. Pre-requisite Learning skills
C. Problem-solving skill
D. Overlap hypothesis

Correct option is C

IQ stability refers to the extent to which an individual's intelligence quotient remains consistent over time. Several factors contribute to the increasing stability of IQ, including environmental influences, cognitive skills, and theoretical explanations.

(A) Environment Stability: A stable and enriched environment significantly contributes to IQ stability. Consistent educational opportunities, socio-economic stability, and parental support play a role in maintaining and improving cognitive abilities over time.
(B) Pre-requisite Learning Skills: Foundational cognitive abilities, such as language comprehension and memory, help reinforce learning. These skills contribute to better problem-solving and knowledge acquisition, leading to stable IQ scores.
(D) Overlap Hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests that the same cognitive processes are repeatedly engaged across different tasks and developmental stages, reinforcing stability in IQ scores. The more frequently a skill is used, the more ingrained it becomes, leading to a stable IQ over time.

Thus, A (Environment stability), B (Pre-requisite Learning Skills), and D (Overlap Hypothesis) are correct explanations for increasing IQ stability.

Information Booster:
1905: Alfred Binet develops the first IQ test to identify children needing educational support, introducing the concept of mental age.
1916: Lewis Terman adapts Binet’s test into the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, introducing the IQ score formula: (Mental Age ÷ Chronological Age) × 100.
1939: David Wechsler creates the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), shifting focus from mental age to a deviation IQ score with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15.
1950s-1960s: Research establishes IQ’s correlation with academic and occupational success, though critics highlight cultural biases in testing.
1983: Howard Gardner proposes the theory of multiple intelligences, challenging the idea of a single, general intelligence measured by IQ.
1990s: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) gains recognition as a complementary measure to IQ, emphasizing social and emotional skills.
Flynn Effect: Observed since the 1980s, average IQ scores have risen globally, likely due to improved education, nutrition, and living conditions.