Question 22

Residents of a large metropolitan city would be most likely to have the highest standard deviation in scores of intelligence.

The diverse population within a large metropolitan city encompasses a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, educational levels, and life experiences, leading to greater variability in intelligence scores.

A) Psychology professors

Psychology professors are typically highly educated individuals within a specialized field, which suggests that their intelligence scores would cluster closely together, resulting in a lower standard deviation. Their shared academic background and training limit the variability in intelligence levels.

B) Residents of a large metropolitan city

Residents of a large metropolitan city represent a vast and diverse population, including individuals from various socio-economic statuses, ethnic backgrounds, and education levels. This diversity contributes to a higher standard deviation in intelligence scores, as some individuals may have advanced degrees while others may have minimal education.

C) Airline pilots

Airline pilots are generally required to meet specific educational and training standards, which means they likely have a relatively homogenous level of intelligence. As a result, their scores would show less variability, leading to a lower standard deviation.

D) Gifted students

Gifted students are typically identified based on high intelligence levels and often receive specialized education. This targeted selection process tends to yield a narrower range of intelligence scores, resulting in a lower standard deviation among this group.

E) Piano teachers

Piano teachers may have varying levels of expertise and education, but they generally possess a certain level of musical ability and education that aligns them more closely than the general population. This commonality suggests a lower standard deviation in intelligence scores compared to more diverse groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, residents of a large metropolitan city exhibit the highest standard deviation in intelligence scores due to their diverse backgrounds and experiences. In contrast, the other groups listed tend to have more homogenous characteristics, leading to lower variability in their intelligence scores.