How does the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence predict later intelligence?

• A. By assessing verbal skills
• B. By evaluating memory capabilities
• C. Through measuring motor skills
• D. By comparing with parental intelligence

Answer: (B)

The Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence is designed to measure an infant's ability to remember and recognize patterns, providing insight into their cognitive development. This test particularly focuses on the infant's memory capabilities and how they respond to visual stimuli. The underlying principle is that infants who can remember and detect changes in previously shown images demonstrate higher cognitive function, which is linked to later intelligence.

Memory is a crucial component of intelligence, and the skills assessed in the Fagan Test can predict the child's intellectual performance as they grow older. Thus, evaluating memory capabilities is a significant indicator of later cognitive abilities, which aligns with the correct answer choice. This predictive validity of the Fagan Test highlights its relevance in the field of developmental psychology, particularly in understanding how early cognitive skills relate to future intelligence.