Terman, Lewis M. (1877–1956)

Lewis M. Terman (1877–1956) was a pioneer of intelligence testing in the United States. While a professor at Stanford University, he developed the Stanford Revision of the Binet–Simon Scales (known simply as the Stanford-Binet), a measure of intelligence that became the standard against which other intelligence tests were measured for decades. He continued to play a central role in promoting psychological testing throughout his lifetime. In 1921, he began a longitudinal study of intellectually gifted young people that ultimately followed them through their lifetimes. The data collected on them are still being mined for insights on development. Terman also made significant contributions to the study of marital happiness. His leadership helped his department at Stanford grow into one of the most powerful and respected psychology departments in the country. In 1922, he served as president of the American Psychological Association. Keywords: intelligence quotient (IQ); testing in psychology; giftedness; marital happiness; masculinity/femininity