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IQ tests are scientific?
After reading William Saletan's "Created Equal" article on slate.com, which talks about a new report "validating" past claims of correlations between IQ, race and head size, I just shook my head.
He mentions how with MRI measurements it was calculated that brain size has a 40 percent correlation with IQ. Which I just find to mean that more often than not, brain size doesn't have anything to do with IQ. While I know the intent of the article was to ruffle a few feathers, I still see a problem with assuming IQ tests uh measure intelligence. In the second article of the series, he argues against the genetic theory of intelligence, citing how supportive families and environment stimulate smarts. He cites how the gradual close of the gap between whites and blacks also disproves the genetic theory. But again I'm disappointed with how much weight he gives IQ tests. Alfred Binet, who created IQ tests, realized the limitations. He also agreed environment affected the scores. The real purpose of the test was to see which students needed extra help, not to see who was the most intelligent. Binet said intelligence was so diverse and so many variables affected it, that qualitative measures should be used in addition to any quantitative measures. 3 comments from 3 users
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posted by
LAHightower
on Nov 24, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Rebecca, Wasn't it Eistein? I know they say he failed math in school. Apparently the system has a lot of issues. I know 'Time' ran an article about how the public system was failing our best and brightest today. In some ways I agree, but there are also a lot of advantages if you can make it to the high school years. I was fortunate enough to be in some great schools with amazing teachers. posted by
Rebecca
on Nov 24, 2007 at 10:38 AM
There was an award winning Scientist who tested "mentally retarded" on an I.Q. test. What was his name?
posted by
GoliadChica
on Nov 24, 2007 at 10:31 AM
I totally agree. If anyone wants to know what IQ tests are good for, all you have to do is look at what they are used for. IQ tests are really only to discover if a person is mentally retarded and that is how they are used except for people impressed with their own "intelligence" or wanting bragging rights for their children. Intelligence tests are notoriously invalid at the upper scores. There is also quite a bit of debate over what is measured and culturally bound these tests are to caucasian people. Another point of debate is how to measure intelligence and what intelligence is? My favorite is Gardner, who says there are many different kinds of intelligence. But -- if the mental health professionals don't have some definition of MR, how would we get those people the help they need to live the best life they can. So, even with the validity of these tests in question, MH professionals have to use something. How DO we define intelligence? *stepping off soapbox...lol*
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