PSYA02H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Flynn Effect, Methylphenidate, Industrial Revolution
PSYA02 Lecture 11: Measuring Intelligence continued
- Race and IQ controversy
o Intelligence tests from Terman onwards show different IQ scores of ppl from
different ethnic groups
▪ Some believe findings are valid, others believe they are based on flawed
methods and poor measurement
- Problems with the Racial Superiority Interpretation
o Simplest critique of racial superiority interpretation of these test score
differences is that the tests themselves are culturally based
▪ After creating unbiased tests not biased to language and culture,
differences in scores still remained
o More subtle critique is that the process of testing was biased
▪ If ppl from minority groups less familiar with standardized tests, less
motivated to do well in tests or less able to focus on test they will be
more likely to produce lower scores
o IQ differences may also be due to stereotype threat
▪ Stereotype Threat: occurs when negative stereotypes about group cause
group members to underperform on ability tests
• 3 reasons identified as to why this happens
o This threat increases arousal due to fact that ppl are aware
of negative stereotypes about their groups and are
concerned a bad performance may reflect poorly on group
▪ This arousal undermines test performance
o Threat causes ppl to focus more on how well they are
doing on test leaving fewer cognitive resources for them
to focus on test itself
o Threat increases tendency of ppl to try and actively inhibit
negative thoughts they have which reduces cognitive
resoures that ould’ve een used to focus on test
• Determined to be reliable occurrence that lowers test scores of
stereotyped groups
• Concerns cast doubt on validity of IQ scores for non white ppl
o Another critique says that IQ differences between groups may not be due to
innate genetic differences between groups
▪ Poor and ethic ppl face factors like pollution, lower quality schools etc
which contributes to poorer cognitive and neurological development
o Life experiences of ppl in these groups may encourage them to adopt certain
beliefs about themselves
▪ May interfere with their ability to do the best
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PSYA02H3 Full Course Notes
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