Question

Which of the following is a true statement regarding Francis Calton? A. He took the position that intelligence is largely determined by heredity. B. He advocated the development of special programs to tap the intellectual potential of the culturally disadvantaged. C. He developed tests that identified those children who were unable to profit from a normal education. D. He took the position that intelligence is more a matter of environment than heredity.

Short answer

A. He took the position that intelligence is largely determined by heredity.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Francis Galton's position on intelligence

Francis Galton was an English scientist and statistician known for his work in eugenics, psychometry, and the study of human intelligence. He took the position that intelligence is largely determined by heredity. This means that Genetics play a significant role in determining a person's intelligence.

Evaluate each statement

Let's take a look at each statement and determine whether it is true or false regarding Francis Galton. A. He took the position that intelligence is largely determined by heredity. (True – This is in line with Galton's beliefs on the role of genetics in intelligence.) B. He advocated the development of special programs to tap the intellectual potential of the culturally disadvantaged. (False – Galton did not focus on creating special programs for the culturally disadvantaged, his work was more on eugenics and heredity.) C. He developed tests that identified those children who were unable to profit from a normal education. (False – Galton did not develop tests specifically for identifying children who could not benefit from a normal education. He was interested in quantifying various human traits, including intelligence, but his work did not focus on this specific testing.) D. He took the position that intelligence is more a matter of environment than heredity. (False – This statement is the opposite of his actual position on intelligence.)

Choose the correct statement

Based on our evaluation of each statement, the correct statement regarding Francis Galton is: A. He took the position that intelligence is largely determined by heredity. This option is consistent with his beliefs on the role of genetics in intelligence.

Key concepts

Francis Galton

Francis Galton was a pivotal figure in the study of heredity and intelligence during the 19th century. He was a well-regarded English scientist and statistician, likely known best for his strong advocacy for the concept that intelligence is genetic. Galton's view was that intelligence is chiefly inherited, and he dedicated significant portions of his career to supporting this belief.

He was also a pioneer in many ways; in addition to his work on intelligence, he contributed to the development of important techniques in stats and biometry—such as regression and correlation analyses. Galton's work raised many questions and discussions about the role of genetics in human traits, setting the groundwork for many fields of study today.

Genetics and Intelligence

The study of genetics and intelligence examines how genetic factors may influence our cognitive abilities. Genetic influence can be inherited from our parents, leading researchers to investigate just how much of one's intelligence is determined by heredity. Galton posited that a significant part of our intelligence is hereditary—a view that laid the groundwork for further exploration into genetic influences.

Recent studies have suggested that while genetics indeed plays a significant role, environmental factors also substantially affect an individual's intellectual development. Balancing these influences is key to understanding the complexities of intelligence and unraveling the complex nature vs nurture debate.

Role of Heredity in Intelligence

Heredity refers to the passing of traits, including intelligence, from one generation to another through genes. Galton's assertion that intelligence is mainly hereditary was a controversial step that incited debates about how much of our cognitive ability is pre-determined. Researchers suggest that genetics can provide a "potential range" for intelligence.

However, this potential may be influenced by environmental conditions, such as education, social context, and personal experiences. Modern research continues to investigate the exact proportions of genetic versus environmental contributions, but it's agreed that there is an intricate interplay between these elements.

Psychometric Studies

Psychometrics is a field concerned with the theory and technique of psychological measurement, including the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. It plays an important role in studying intelligence by developing accurate and reliable tests.

While Galton's work set the stage for psychometrics, modern psychometricians strive to create assessments that can precisely measure intelligence irrespective of cultural and socio-economic biases. Present-day intelligence tests aim to evaluate cognitive functions thoroughly, providing insights into an individual’s abilities. Their development requires an acute understanding of both statistical methods and psychological theory.

Eugenics in Psychology

The concept of eugenics is linked closely to Francis Galton, who coined the term and defined it as the science of improving the population by controlling breeding to increase the occurrence of desirable heritable characteristics. In psychology, eugenics aimed to encourage the reproduction of people with "superior" genes while discouraging those with "inferior" genes.

Though it seemed promising in the quest for enhancing human traits, eugenics faced criticism for its ethical implications and potential for misuse. The misuse of eugenics led to grave social policies and injustices, notably in the early 20th century. Today, it is largely discredited, viewed as a cautionary tale of the misuse of genetic principles.