IQ and Race

Cory Plunk4-27-05

Physics/CF3333

IQ Tests

• Popularized in modern form during WWI

• Uses analogies, pattern recognition, and other factors to measure IQ

• Must be carefully created to avoid cultural bias

Cultural Bias

Romeo is to Juliet as Tristan is to (a) Carmen (b) Elizabeth (c) Isolde

(d) Marguerite vs

Continue the series:X 0 0 0 0 X X X 0 0 0 X X X 0 0__

Jensen

• 1969: Arthur Jensen, educational psychologist from U. of California began publishing his work that showed a large racial correlation with IQ

• Jensen claimed his work shows a genetic component to IQ

Results

• Showed Whites to be 15 IQ points above Blacks on average

• Discounted major influence from cultural or environmental influence other than SES (Socioeconomic Situation)

• Based claim off studies of mixed-race persons and adopted persons

Biological Mother

Avg. IQAdoptive Parents

Avg. Adoptee IQ

% Adoptees IQ 120+

% Adoptees IQ 120+

Low IQ:Avg. 89.4

High IQ:Avg. 121.6

110.8

114.8

102.6

118.3

0

44

15

0

Average IQAdoptive fathers 120.8Adoptive mother 118.2Natural Children of adoptive parents 116.7White/Black adoptees 109.0 (half Black half White parentage)Black/Black adoptees 96.8

Problems

• Fails to disprove cultural & environmental effects

• No hard evidence• Genetics do not support theory• Conflicting studies• What is race?

% of Black Pop % Above 125 IQ % Above 140 IQ N 28.3 22.2 21.4NNW 31.6 46.0 42.9NW 25.3 15.9 21.4NWW 14.8 15.9 14.3Source: Flynn, 81

N = “All” BlackNNW = Mostly BlackNW = Half Black Half WhiteNWW = Mostly White