Loretta Woods
ASC 128
Presentation write- up
RACE
AND INTELLIGENCE
Does race make a difference
in intelligence?
Does our generic makeup
predispose certain races to be more intelligent than others?
These are the questions that
were put forth in my presentation on Race and Intelligence. Before we can
explore these questions we need to define what intelligence is. That is what we
did during the presentation and as we heard, there were many different
definitions of the term intelligent. We found out that our interpretations of
intelligence tends to be subjective. In order for everyone to have the same
schema we will refer to intelligence with the following definition:
Intelligence- “ To be able to effectively apply the mind in
any situation,
to
be able to study a problem with good
judgment and
clear thinking” (Webster, 1992).
There are two types of
intelligence we will be looking at. They are:
*Fluid
intelligence
*Crystallized
Intelligence
Fluid Intelligence is: “a
natural ability which is not dependant on acquired
knowledge”
Crystallized
Intelligence is: “ability
dependent on acquired knowledge”
(Eysenck,
1981).
We will examine Race and
Intelligence through various theories.
Francis Galton (half cousin of Darwin) believed in the right for
individual freedom by he also believed that just because everyone had the right
to be free did not mean that we were all made equal according to intelligence.
He believed that our genetic traits determined if we were intelligent or not.
He concluded that certain races may not be as intelligent as other races.
Galton measured intelligence by types of people. He wanted to discourage those
of inferior genetic markings from procreating.
Charles Darwin- theorized about Natural Selection (when a species
decides on their own who to mate with) and Varieties of Difference (we are born
with certain inborn traits). He supported his theory in a book called Influence
of the Origin of Species. This book dealt with the theory that the fittest
species will be the one who survives.
In 1927, Charles
Spearman proposed another way to look at intelligence. His theory was
that intelligence is a through a G- Factor (general intelligence). This would
account for the difference in individual performances across all sets of
cognitive skills. He states that Black and Whites has a generic difference in
neurological processing. .
Arthur Jensen takes a hereditarian (you are what you inherit
through genetics) view. He backs up his conclusion by stating that in the
United States, Black’s IQ are below by one standard deviation (which is 15
points) on tests. He states that on the average only 16% of Blacks score will
exceed Whites relating to IQ. These results were similar on 80 different tests.
He also believes that the environment has a part in this picture but not to the
degree of genetics. .
Brian Mackenzie took a different look at the differences in race and
IQ. Mackenzie theorized that the environment in which we live in determines the
outcome of our IQ. He disproves of the work of Arthur Jensen and states that
there are too many factors to take into consideration when examining IQ and
race. Mackenzie suggest the use of Racial Admixture Designs (where protein and
blood markers, plus records of generations are used to determine a person’s
racial composition).
Mackenzie feels that this
type of study will rid the ideological divisions of race and intelligence and
provide better research.
In 1994 Herrnstein and
Murray wrote a book about Biological Determinism (the idea that generic
determine who you are). They state that intelligence is determined by genetics
early in life and the amount of intelligence a person has determines how their
life will be. They believed that 60% of our genetic makeup plays a part in the
G- intelligence or General intelligence. Their book, The Bell Curve,
became extremely controversial and ignited many outraged responses.
Richard Lynn was one who responded to The Bell Curve. He
researched the difference in intelligence between Asian and Caucasian groups.
He concluded that Asian students scores were higher than Caucasian students by
½ a standard deviation. He concluded that environment had a play in the
difference in IQ scores. Lynn examined the difference in the way education is
looked upon in Asian cultures compared to how it is perceived in American
Caucasian cultures. He felt that Asian cultures had a higher regard for
education thus, students had a higher regard for it.
In 1989, Gardner and
Hatch suggest the opportunities we have in life determine how we fair
on IQ test. They state in order to be knowledgeable about a subject one must be
exposed to it.
In 1992, Helms,
agrees that intelligence tests are based on Eurocentric values( values of white
Europeans) which are different than Acrocentric values( values based on African
cultures. He concludes that this difference predisposes IQ tests to be bias.
In conclusion, there are many
theories on intelligence. One wonders why so much research and research money
is spent on finding issues that separate us as a culture. I tend to agree with
the theories that jointly see the environment as a factor with genetics in
determining intelligence. I also think that money also determines what you can
be exposed to, thus limiting some from gaining knowledge. Not because they may
be less intelligent, but because having money enables us more access.
The input I received from my
peers was extremely positive. The power point presentation was well received
The one comment I did get was that my presentation was too short. Perhaps on
the further presentations I could elaborate on the subject matter more.
Books
of interest on this subject:
The
Bell Curve Wars, Race, Intelligence and the Future of America,
Edited by Steven Fraser
This
book is a collection of reactions to the book, The Bell Curve.
The Intelligence
Controversy by H. J
Eysenck and Leon Kamin
Eysenck and Kamin take a look
at the factors that effect how intelligent are we. They argue the environmental
factors play the crucial role and insist that IQ test are instruments of
political and social control.
A Question of Intelligence -The IQ Debate In America
by Daniel Seligman
This book weighs the
nature/nurture theory with regard to race and intelligence. They have research
that disproves that IQ test are cultural bias. Seligman states his cause for IQ
testing to continue.
The
Bell Curve by Richard J.
Herrnstein and Charles Murray
Herrnstein and Murray’s book
that started an outrage in the nation. research on the difference in intelligence
between ethnic groups is covered intensely. Many books and journals have been
written in response to this transformation book.
Measured
Lies by Joe L. Kincheloe, Shirley
R.. Steinberg and Aaron Gresson
Another book in response to The
Bell Curve.
Web site: http://eugenics.home.att.net
**** Please note, this is a
controversial web site, but has interesting journal articles