Beyond Sports - Military, Police, Fire and First Responders

Though the outcome and risks differ greatly between military and sport, there is considerable overlap between the mental abilities and cognitive processes required in these high-octane fields. AIQ measures aspects of intelligence that are critically important to military performance. For instance, in the domain of aviation, it is long recognized that pilots tend to have stronger visual spatial abilities than control subjects.

While conventional IQ tests employed by the military may be efficient, they do not assess some of the most important cognitive abilities that may determine a serviceman’s success or failure in the moment.

In the military, it is crucial that individuals process visual information efficiently and effectively, that they encode critical information into long-term memory and recall it immediately when needed, that they respond rapidly to sensory input (e.g., sounds or visual stimuli), and that they sustain this rapid rate of information processing over time. For instance, the Air Force Research Laboratory emphasized that a person with low general cognitive ability and borderline functioning in visual-spatial, visual learning, or visual-constructive abilities may elevate the risk for an aviation mishap where the threat to human life, national security, foreign relations, military operations, and loss of a multimillion dollar aircraft is already high. As illustrated above, research has already established significant correlations between specific cognitive abilities and dynamic fields. For example, individuals with strong visual spatial processing abilities are more likely to be successful pilots. In the construction of the AIQ, we identified specific abilities that directly relate to elite athletics and military performance.

The AIQ would be complementary to the assessments currently used by the military, and having this critical information about cognitive functioning can lead to improved selection and training of servicemen and women.

Though the outcome and risks differ greatly between first responders and elite athletes, there is considerable overlap between the mental abilities and cognitive processes required in these high octane fields. The AIQ is designed to measure aspects of intelligence that are critically important for first responders to execute their life saving duties. While conventional IQ tests may be efficient, they do not assess some of the most important cognitive abilities that may determine a responder’s success or failure in the moment. In the construction of the AIQ, we identified specific abilities from CHC theory that directly relate to performance for elite athletes, police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, and other first responders, and that are robust to factors such as cultural, racial and language differences.

In clutch situations, it is crucial that first responders process visual information efficiently and effectively, encode critical information into long-term memory and recall it immediately when needed, respond rapidly to sensory input (e.g., sounds or visual stimuli), and sustain this rapid rate of information processing over time.
In law enforcement, police officers must possess keen situational awareness, and utilize critical skills such as de-escalation techniques, hands-on tactics, and firearm handling. The four factors of the AIQ provide a foundation for much of the complex decision-making that occurs, including choosing the most appropriate response during unpredictable and rapidly changing situations.
Research has established significant correlations between cognitive abilities and performance for first responders. For instance, in law enforcement, cognitive abilities have been found to correlate with important factors, such as ratings of officers’ reactions to hostility, time management, case management skills, and overall performance. Similarly, cognitive measures have been found to correlate significantly with job performance for firefighters.
The AIQ can be used as an unbiased, reliable, and valid tool to complement the various assessments used with first responders, and having this critical information about their cognitive functioning can provide enhanced selection and training.