Mensa (name)

Mensa is a high-IQ society open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. The term "Mensa" is derived from the Latin word for "table," the implication being that Mensa is a round table society where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant.

History:

Mensa was founded in 1946 in Oxford, England, by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They conceived of Mensa as a society for intelligent people to meet and discuss ideas.

Membership:

To qualify for membership, individuals must provide evidence of scoring in the top 2% of the general population on a standardized intelligence test. Mensa accepts scores from a wide variety of tests, and also offers its own supervised test. Potential members typically need to score 130 or higher on a standard IQ test with a standard deviation of 15, like the Wechsler scales or Stanford-Binet. Specific requirements can vary depending on the country and testing standards used.

Activities and Goals:

Mensa has three stated purposes:

• To identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
• To encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence.
• To provide a stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.

Mensa achieves these goals through a variety of activities, including:

• Local gatherings and meetings
• Special Interest Groups (SIGs) covering a wide range of topics
• Regional and national gatherings
• Publications, including journals and newsletters
• Scholarship programs
• Proctoring of Mensa admission tests.

Organization:

Mensa is an international organization with groups in over 100 countries. Each country typically has its own national Mensa organization, which is affiliated with Mensa International. Mensa International sets overall standards and provides support for national groups.

Criticism:

Mensa has faced some criticism regarding the validity and importance of IQ tests. Some critics argue that IQ tests are culturally biased and do not accurately reflect intelligence. Others question whether high IQ is a reliable predictor of success or happiness in life. Despite these criticisms, Mensa remains a prominent and well-known organization for people with high intelligence.