How does performance on intelligence tests tend to vary across different cultures?

Performance on intelligence tests tends to vary due to cultural values and educational practices as each culture may emphasize different skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking. Intelligence tests often reflect the values and experiences familiar to the culture in which they were developed. For example, certain cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, or verbal skills may be highlighted in one culture while practical skills or social knowledge might be prioritized in another.

Cultural background influences how individuals approach problems and the strategies they use, as well as the content of their knowledge base. Additionally, educational systems differ globally, which impacts how intelligence is measured and reflected in test performance. For instance, children in cultures with different educational focuses may develop skills that are not assessed by traditional intelligence tests, leading to variability in test scores across cultures. This understanding underscores the importance of considering cultural context when interpreting intelligence test results.