Measuring Intelligence: Facts and FallaciesThe testing of intelligence has a long and controversial history. Claims that it is a pseudo-science or a weapon of ideological warfare have been commonplace and there is not even a consensus as to whether intelligence exists and, if it does, whether it can be measured. As a result the debate about it has centred on the nurture versus nature controversy and especially on alleged racial differences and the heritability of intelligence - all of which have major policy implications. This book aims to penetrate the mists of controversy, ideology and prejudice by providing a clear non-mathematical framework for the definition and measurement of intelligence derived from modern factor analysis. Building on this framework and drawing on everyday ideas the author address key controversies in a clear and accessible style and explores some of the claims made by well known writers in the field such as Stephen Jay Gould and Michael Howe. |
Common terms and phrases
appears approach argument arises average Bell Curve brain calculated Central Limit Theorem chapter Charles Spearman claim collective property common comparisons construct contribution critics debate depends described dominant dimension effect empirical environment environmental factors example expect fact factor analysis factor model figure Flynn effect fundamental g-score genes genetic Gould group differences height heritability human idea identify important individual inheritance intelligence testing interactions IQ scores IQ tests item response theory Jensen judgement kind large number latent class model latent structure latent variable level of measurement manifest variables matter means measurement of intelligence measuring intelligence mental ability normal distribution observed particular population positively correlated possible precise principal components analysis problem quantity question recognise reference relevant sample scale sense set of test shape simple single Spearman sufficient statistic summarise suppose test items test scores theory things underlying Wechsler
References to this book
Clocking the Mind: Mental Chronometry and Individual Differences Arthur R. Jensen Limited preview - 2006 |
Integrating the Mind: Domain General Versus Domain Specific Processes in ... Maxwell J. Roberts No preview available - 2007 |