I CAN: Explain the differences in how groups evaluate intelligence Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007.

I CAN:I CAN:

• Explain the differences in how groups evaluate intelligence

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007


How Do Psychologists Explain IQ Differences How Do Psychologists Explain IQ Differences Among Groups?Among Groups?

Hereditarian arguments maintain that intelligence is substantially influenced by genetics

This is NATURE

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Environmental approaches argue that intelligence can be dramatically shaped by influences such as

• Health• Economics

• Education This is NUTURE

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Heritability and Group DifferencesHeritability and Group Differences

Research with twins and adopted children Research with twins and adopted children shows genetic influences on a wide range shows genetic influences on a wide range of attributes, including intelligenceof attributes, including intelligence

Research has also shown that racial and Research has also shown that racial and class differences in IQ scores can be class differences in IQ scores can be eliminatedeliminated by environmental changesby environmental changes


The Jensen Controversy The Jensen Controversy

Arthur Jensen’s theory that the difference in racial IQ scores is genetically based

He also contended that while associative learning, or memorizing ability, is equally distributed among the races, conceptual learning occurs with significantly greater frequency in whites than in blacks.

He suggested that from the data, one might conclude that on average, white Americans are more intelligent than African-Americans.

He downplayed possible environmental factors

The Bell Curve Controversy

The Bell Curve is a controversial, best-selling 1994 book.

Its central point is that intelligence is a better predictor of things such as financial income, job performance, unwed pregnancy, and crime rather than a parents' socioeconomic status or

education level.

Controversial due its position that genetic differences mean some races are more/less intelligent than others


Minnesota Transracial Adoption Study 1976, 1992


Also called the Scarr and Weinberg Adoption Study

Revealed the strength of environment in determining IQ levels.

Examined the IQ test scores of 130 black/interracial children adopted by advantaged white families.

Social Class Affects IQ in terms of nutrition, health

care, education. Head Start Program Provides an enriched environment for

disadvantaged children.

Test Biases Can increase or decrease test

scores.

Bias on IQ tests can also influence the

scores.

By doing some intelligence tests which make non-mainstream cultural assumptions, students can come to

experience some of the difficulties and issues involved with culturally biased methods of testing intelligence.


A "handkerchief head" is: (a) a cool cat (b) a porter (c) an Uncle

Tom (d) a hoddi (e) a preacher.

Which word is most out of place here? (a) splib (b) blood (c) gray (d) spook

(e) black.

T-Bone Walker got famous for playing what?(a) trombone (b) piano (c) "T-flute" (d) guitar (e) "hambone."

"Bird" or "Yardbird" was the "jacket" that jazz lovers from coast to coast hung on:(a) Lester Young (b) Peggy Lee (c) Benny Goodman, (d) Charlie Parker (e) "Birdman of Alcatraz."

• Explain the differences in how groups evaluate intelligence


I CAN: Explain the differences in how groups evaluate intelligence Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007.

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