What is mental age in relation to intelligence testing?

Mental age refers to the concept that determines the typical age corresponding to a specific level of performance in various areas of intelligence and cognitive abilities. This term was popularized by the work of Alfred Binet, who developed the first practical intelligence test. In this context, mental age indicates the age at which individuals, on average, would typically achieve a particular score or level of functioning on the test.

For instance, if a child performs at the level expected of a 10-year-old on a particular intelligence test, regardless of their actual chronological age, their mental age would be considered 10. This concept helps in assessing where individuals stand in relation to their peers in cognitive development. This is particularly useful in identifying learning difficulties or assessing giftedness, as it provides insight into whether an individual is performing above or below the expected standards for their chronological age.

The other options describe different concepts that are not aligned with the definition of mental age. While they may relate to aspects of intelligence and assessments, they do not accurately capture the precise meaning and application of mental age in intelligence testing.