Bell Curve

Question 1

Bell Curve theory

Answer 1

• IQ scores across a population fall on a bell curve which might be steeper or shallower depending on population/age etc. The average is suggested to be 100
• Based their ideas about heritability and cultural differences on data but the assumptions they made are controversial

Question 2

Bell Curve assumption

Answer 2

• Intelligence differs and falls along a continuum
• Standardised and specific IQ tests measure intelligence
• IQ scores match what people mean by intelligence.
• IQ scores are mostly stable across a person’s life
• Properly administered IQ tests are not biased
• Between 40 and 80% of intelligence is heritable

Question 3

Cognitive elite

Answer 3

-More intelligent Americans get a degree and so get the top jobs which results in a stratification with more intelligent people at the top not mixing with those of lower education as they live in better areas and go to better schools

Question 4

Social problems caused

Answer 4

• Low IQ = more likely to have low socio-economic status, low employment and drop out of school.
• Correlates with welfare dependency, poor relationships, behavioural problems.
• More likely to care less, commit crimes and higher birth rate

Question 5

Race

Answer 5

• East Asian Americans score higher than white Americans especially for verbal intelligence and African Americans score lower
• Immigrants IQ is below national average

Question 6

Authors social solutions

Answer 6

• Tried to raise cognitive ability with nutrition and extra schooling but deemed the only successful intervention was adoption
• Tried to level education by focusing on the lower end of abilities but found that brighter children were not encouraged enough so suggested that funds should be focused on brighter children
• Giving preference to minority groups getting into higher education results in higher drop out rates so should only be given preference if qualifications are similar

Question 7

Caste society

Answer 7

• Isolation of the cognitive elite
• low quality of life and welfare dependency for those with low IQ
• Racism would reemerge and underclass would grow

Question 8

Criticisms

Answer 8

• Oversimplified e.g. g is not the only explanation of intelligence
• Our understanding of intelligence is culturally biased
• Only 40-80% if IQ is inherited
• Variations within races are greater than between races
• Only correlations not causation (no evidence)
• Eugenics (controlling breeding) is very controversial/dangerous implications