IQ Testing and More On the Topic of Placebos

I'm excited to learn about these two topics both for unrelated and related reasons. In the chapters we read this week, Moghaddam mentions that we will be introduced to IQ testing, but he also goes in to detail about placebos. I am interested to know how exactly IQ testing measures intelligence and how results of these tests effect the test taker. I think this relates to the notion of placebos because IQ tests act as status symbols and while they can seriously impact the way someone is perceived by others, they can more importantly change someone's self awareness and outlook. I hope through taking this course I will be able to learn whether IQ testing is a valid method of measuring real intelligence, or if it is another self fulfilling prophecy like the placebo.