Question

Check your understanding of various theories on the nature of intelligence by matching the names of their originators with the brief descriptions of the theories' main themes that appear below. Choose from the following theorists: (a) Alfred Binet, (b) Howard Gardner. (c) Arthur Jensen, (d) Lewis Terman, (e) Robert Sternberg, and (f) David Wechsler. The answers are in Appendix A. _______________ This theorist stated that the heritability of intelligence is very high and that 10 differences between ethnic groups are mainly due to genetics.

Short answer

Answer: Arthur Jensen

Step-by-step solution

Understand the theory description

Read and understand the given theory description: "This theorist stated that the heritability of intelligence is very high and that IQ differences between ethnic groups are mainly due to genetics."

Identify the theorist

Go through the list of theorists and compare their theories to the given description. Through the process of elimination, we can determine which theorist's theory matches the given description. (a) Alfred Binet: Developed the first intelligence test, but his focus was not on heritability or genetic differences. (b) Howard Gardner: Proposed the Multiple Intelligence Theory, which states that there are multiple types of intelligences rather than a single general intelligence. (c) Arthur Jensen: Advocated that intelligence is highly heritable and that there are significant genetic differences in intelligence between ethnic groups. This matches the given description. (d) Lewis Terman: Known for revising the Binet-Simon Scale into the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, his focus was not on heritability or genetics. (e) Robert Sternberg: Formulated the Triarchic Theory of Intelligence, which emphasizes three aspects of intelligence: analytical, creative, and practical. (f) David Wechsler: Created the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, but his focus was on the structure and measurement of intelligence, not heritability or genetics.

Choose the correct answer

Based on the comparison made in step 2, the answer is clear. The theorist that matches the given description is: (c) Arthur Jensen

Key concepts

Intelligence Heritability

The concept of intelligence heritability contemplates how much of a person's intelligence is due to genetic factors. This area of study resides within behavioral genetics and seeks to understand the role genetics and environment play in shaping cognitive abilities. Researchers typically express the heritability of intelligence as a proportion, with higher values suggesting greater genetic influence.

It's important to note that heritability does not refer to the extent to which intelligence is determined by genes in an individual, but rather the degree to which genetic differences contribute to observed variation in intelligence across a population. This distinction is crucial for correct interpretation of heritability estimates. Studies have consistently found that genetics plays a significant role, though estimates of the degree of heritability vary.

One approach, called twin studies, compares the intelligence of monozygotic (identical) twins, who share all their genes, with dizygotic (fraternal) twins, who share about 50% of their genes. This method provides insight into the relative contributions of nature and nurture. However, just because intelligence has a heritable component does not mean it is fixed at birth; environment, education, and experiences continuously interact with genetic potential throughout a person's life.

Ethnic Differences in IQ

The subject of ethnic differences in intelligence quotient (IQ) scores is one of the most controversial topics in psychology. It implies looking at how average IQ scores may vary between different ethnic groups and what underlying factors contribute to these differences.

Many scholars agree that these differences likely arise from a complex interplay of both environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors include socioeconomic status, access to quality education, nutrition, cultural values, psychosocial stressors, and language differences. These factors can hugely impact IQ test performance, which is why it's often emphasized that IQ scores do not equate to a person's worth or potential for success.

It is vital to approach this topic with caution and awareness of historical and cultural contexts. The very notion of measuring intelligence through IQ tests has been criticized for cultural bias, and many argue that such tests may not accurately reflect a person’s true cognitive abilities. Consequently, the interpretation of ethnic differences in IQ scores must be done with a deep understanding of the multifaced nature of intelligence and respect for individual differences.

Arthur Jensen

Arthur Jensen was a prominent figure in the field of psychology, known for his research on intelligence and learning. In the late 20th century, he ignited considerable debate and controversy with his views on the heritability of intelligence and the causes of IQ score disparities among different ethnic groups.

Jensen's work suggested that a significant portion of intelligence could be attributed to genetic inheritance, and he argued that educational policies should be adjusted to recognize these differences in ability. His analysis led him to believe that genetic factors were part of the reason behind the observed differences in average IQ scores between ethnic groups.

However, Jensen's conclusions have been met with profound criticism, with many in the scientific community arguing that his work did not sufficiently account for the myriad social and environmental factors influencing intelligence. Additionally, Jensen’s research ignited intense discussions regarding the ethics and implications of studying intelligence through the lens of genetics and ethnicity. Despite the controversy, Jensen's work contributed to ongoing debates and studies regarding how best to understand and measure human intelligence.