9: Intelligence 2 Flashcards
What is “Heritability of Intelligence”?
The proportion of the difference in IQ scores that is explained by difference in genes.
Details:
- Heritability estimate doesn’t tell us which genes correlate with intelligence, so it’s useless to use individually. It’s used more on populations and stuff.
What was found from the studies with adopted kids, biological twins, fraternal twins, identical twins?
What was found was that:
- overlap in genes means stronger connection in shared genetics, but there is a SIGNIFICANT impact that environment has on CORRELATION BETWEEN IQ SCORES!
Why was there a discrepancy in the IQ tests administered in the 1900’s? Why were some ethnic groups lower IQ?
- The IQ test was based on specific cultural knowledge
- culturally biased, as IQ tests were geared towards knowledge that white children had
What resulted from the culturally biased IQ tests?
- Ended up being ok to be prejudice towards Black Americans as they were seen as “genetically Inferior”
Ex/ People started talking about sexual sterilization acts. There was also the prohibition of mixed marriages Act in south Africa. Lots of other bad stuff
How do modern intelligence tests do away with cultural bias? What resulted?
By changing questions/ getting rid of questions geared towards white children.
By using questions with no works, as lots of culture is bound up in language
However, differences still emerged…
How could we explain the differences in ethnic groups in modern intelligence tests?
Through “Range of Reaction Theory”
What is range of reaction theory?
Range of reaction theory states that our genes set the given limit of how much we can reach.
But THEN, it’s on our environment to determine how much of our potential we reach.
How does social economic status correlate with IQ? Why?
People in higher economic social status have genes that correlate VERY STRONGLY to THEIR INTELLIGENCE
With people in lower economic status, THE ENVIRONMENT CORRELATES STRONGER to THEIR INTELLIGENCE.
This is due to range of reaction theory
How does stress affect IQ?
Stress impairs working memory (which is the planning, concentration, executive function part)
The impairment of stress from living in poverty was as strong as prefrontal cortex damage!
Why measure intelligence in the first place if it’s not an accurate measure of how successful someone is in life?
Schools practice the skills tested on IQ tests.
The IQ test still functions as intended: to figure out who needs help in school.
