Differences in Differences in IntelligenceIntelligence

NATURE (genetic influence)NATURE (genetic influence)

Twins intelligence scores are virtually Twins intelligence scores are virtually as similar to those of the same as similar to those of the same person taking a test twice.person taking a test twice.

Identical twins show a greater Identical twins show a greater correlation in intelligence scores than correlation in intelligence scores than fraternal twins. fraternal twins.

Brain scans show twins have very Brain scans show twins have very similar gray matter volumesimilar gray matter volume

NURTURE (environmental NURTURE (environmental influence)influence)

Malnutrition can influence cognitive Malnutrition can influence cognitive developmentdevelopment

Head Start and other programs increase Head Start and other programs increase children’s school readiness. children’s school readiness.

Intelligence scores tend to rise during the Intelligence scores tend to rise during the school year and drop off in the summer school year and drop off in the summer months. Argument for year round months. Argument for year round schooling.schooling.

Identical twins reared apart have a lower Identical twins reared apart have a lower intelligence correlation than those reared intelligence correlation than those reared together.together.

The Flynn Effect The Flynn Effect

Overall intelligence testing has been Overall intelligence testing has been improving this is called the improving this is called the Flynn Flynn Effect Effect (Graph pg. 447)(Graph pg. 447)– The avg. person’s intelligence score 80 The avg. person’s intelligence score 80

years ago is equal to a 76 today. years ago is equal to a 76 today. – This trend has been observed in many This trend has been observed in many

countries.countries.– What could cause the Flynn effect?What could cause the Flynn effect?

The Flynn EffectThe Flynn Effect

Explaining the Flynn EffectExplaining the Flynn Effect

Better nutritionBetter nutrition Better educationBetter education More stimulating environmentsMore stimulating environments Smaller familiesSmaller families

Nature vs. Nurture Nature vs. Nurture Intelligence summaryIntelligence summary

Nature vs. Nurture-Intelligence – YouTube

Ethnic Similarities and Ethnic Similarities and DifferencesDifferences

Genetics research reveals that under the Genetics research reveals that under the skin, the races are remarkably alike. skin, the races are remarkably alike.

Individual differences within races are Individual differences within races are much greater than the differences much greater than the differences between races. between races.

White and Black infants score equally well White and Black infants score equally well on infant intelligence measures. on infant intelligence measures.

Ethnic Similarities and Ethnic Similarities and DifferencesDifferences

The Disturbing Facts:The Disturbing Facts:– Racial groups differ in their average Racial groups differ in their average

intelligence scoresintelligence scores Avg. IQ for Whites – 100Avg. IQ for Whites – 100 Avg. IQ for Blacks – 85 Avg. IQ for Blacks – 85 Avg. IQ for other minorities – between 85 Avg. IQ for other minorities – between 85

and 100and 100

– Although this gap is shrinking slowly, it Although this gap is shrinking slowly, it still persists. still persists.

– Are these differences due to genetics or Are these differences due to genetics or the environment? the environment?

Self –fulfilling prophecies- Gender/race- StossellSelf –fulfilling prophecies- Gender/race- Stossell Student beliefs about themselves-Black/white doll Student beliefs about themselves-Black/white doll experiment and Brown decision. Separate but Equal-experiment and Brown decision. Separate but Equal-

pt.1pt.1 Teacher beliefs about student abilities. The Pygmalion Teacher beliefs about student abilities. The Pygmalion

Effect and the Power of Positive Expectations (1Effect and the Power of Positive Expectations (1stst 3:00)3:00)

Teacher’s unconscious bias when selecting who can Teacher’s unconscious bias when selecting who can take upper level classes. CMS study on 6take upper level classes. CMS study on 6thth to 12 to 12thth grade English scores.grade English scores.

Nutrition and scores.Nutrition and scores. In group pressures to not "act white" Uncle Toms.In group pressures to not "act white" Uncle Toms.

Environmental Explanations Environmental Explanations for Gapfor Gap

Environmental Explanations Environmental Explanations for IQ Gapfor IQ Gap

Prejudice has negative influence on achievement.Prejudice has negative influence on achievement. Ogbu study suggesting that minority groups in all Ogbu study suggesting that minority groups in all

cultures score lower on intelligence tests produced by cultures score lower on intelligence tests produced by majority culture.majority culture.

Fewer role models.Fewer role models. Less of a perception of school as a means to better life.Less of a perception of school as a means to better life. Fewer family financial concerns.Fewer family financial concerns.

(Role of TV films).(Role of TV films). Look at Tom the Dancing BugLook at Tom the Dancing Bug How Priming Impacts Your PerformanceHow Priming Impacts Your Performance

Gender DifferencesGender Differences Gender differences in intelligence is minor… Gender differences in intelligence is minor…

– Girls are better spellersGirls are better spellers– Girls are more verbally affluentGirls are more verbally affluent– Girls surpassed boys in memory for picture Girls surpassed boys in memory for picture

associationsassociations– Girls are sensitive to touch, taste and odorGirls are sensitive to touch, taste and odor– Girls are better at detecting emotionsGirls are better at detecting emotions– Boys outnumber girls in underachievement - Boys outnumber girls in underachievement -

More boys in special education classesMore boys in special education classes– Boys are better at math problem solvingBoys are better at math problem solving– Boys spatial ability is superiorBoys spatial ability is superior

Stereotype ThreatStereotype Threat

Stereotype threatStereotype threat – a self-confirming – a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype. (self-fulfilling a negative stereotype. (self-fulfilling prophecy) – p. 465prophecy) – p. 465– Ex. Women score higher on math tests Ex. Women score higher on math tests

when they are not tested alongside of menwhen they are not tested alongside of men– Ex. Blacks score higher when tested by a Ex. Blacks score higher when tested by a

black test administrator rather than a black test administrator rather than a white test administratorwhite test administrator

Take the Australian and Take the Australian and Chitling TestsChitling Tests

Take testsTake tests

Cultural Bias in testingCultural Bias in testing

Is there cultural bias in testing?Is there cultural bias in testing?

What is meant by bias?What is meant by bias?

Tests detect differences caused by cultural Tests detect differences caused by cultural experiencesexperiences– Ex. Question – What is a Tobaggon? Ex. Question – What is a Tobaggon? – And regional biasAnd regional bias– A cup is paired with a saucer or you buy insurance A cup is paired with a saucer or you buy insurance

to protect your property to protect your property – AP Psych 2009 exam driver’s license. Q Why is this AP Psych 2009 exam driver’s license. Q Why is this

bias for someone from Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul. bias for someone from Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul. – If this is the case, are intelligence tests a vehicle for If this is the case, are intelligence tests a vehicle for

discrimination?- show quotes from original creators of SAT, discrimination?- show quotes from original creators of SAT, Stanford-Binet (most influential standardized tests in Stanford-Binet (most influential standardized tests in historyhistory

Bias in TestingBias in Testing

TAKE STANDARDIZED TEST OF TAKE STANDARDIZED TEST OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED DUE TO BIAS. ELIMINATED DUE TO BIAS.

Q. WHY WERE THE FOLLOWING Q. WHY WERE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CONSIDERED BIASQUESTIONS CONSIDERED BIAS

ETS (Collegeboard) goes to great lengths to create ETS (Collegeboard) goes to great lengths to create unbias exams today. Ex.- being on the “rubric” team, unbias exams today. Ex.- being on the “rubric” team, roomate from Shaghai China, my selection. roomate from Shaghai China, my selection.

Who succeeds on the SAT?Who succeeds on the SAT?

Studies show that upper class white Studies show that upper class white male northeasterners tend to perform male northeasterners tend to perform better than any other group. Why?better than any other group. Why?– Test was created by white, upper-class Test was created by white, upper-class

males. – What does being like the test males. – What does being like the test creators have anything to do with your creators have anything to do with your ability to perform well on a test?ability to perform well on a test? High socio economic status vocabularyHigh socio economic status vocabulary Test preparation - $$$Test preparation - $$$ Taking test several times - $$$Taking test several times - $$$ Any others?Any others?

Evidence supporting SAT Evidence supporting SAT BiasBias

1.1. Females have higher HS GPA’s but Females have higher HS GPA’s but males perform better on SAT’smales perform better on SAT’s

2.2. Over 1400 SAT scores (1600 scale):Over 1400 SAT scores (1600 scale):

29% from upper class29% from upper class

24% from middle class24% from middle class

14% from lower class14% from lower class

High School performance among these High School performance among these particular students has opposite particular students has opposite numbers. numbers.

Wake Forest Ends testingWake Forest Ends testing

No SATs for Wake Forest University – No SATs for Wake Forest University – YouTubeYouTube

Wake Forest example lends doubt to the Wake Forest example lends doubt to the SATs | McClatchySATs | McClatchy

A New Book Argues Against the SAT - A New Book Argues Against the SAT - NYTimes.comNYTimes.com

Review Institutional Discrimination and Review Institutional Discrimination and Standardized Testing/ Homogeneous Standardized Testing/ Homogeneous Grouping.Grouping.