Gould Flashcards
What was the aim of Gould’s article and Yerkes’ study?
1- The aim of Gould’s article was to criticise attempts made to measure intelligence
2- The aim of Yerke’s intelligence was to devise a scientific way to test the natural trait of intelligence on a mass scale
What research method was used by Yerkes’?
Large scale psychometric testing
What was Yerkes’ sample?
1.75 million USA army men from a range of backgrounds and ages
What three tests did Yerkes’ et al devise?
1- Army Alpha
2- Army Beta
3- Individual Examination
How was the Alpha test constructed?
Literary test, complete the sequence, complete analogies etc
How was the Beta test constructed?
Pictorial task for the illiterate, complete the maze, complete-a-picture
How was the IE test constructed?
It was an individualised exam for those who failed Army beta
How long was the test?
Less than an hour
What were the conditions like under which the participants completed the test?
Rushed and intimidating
What did Yerkes claim to be measuring? How does Gould argue against this?
Yerkes claimed native intellectual ability but Gould argued it relied heavily on cultural knowledge
How were the tests discriminatory?
Black people were less likely to be recalled to complete a beta test
What was the highest mental age? Who did it belong to?
13.04, White American
What was the lowest mental age? Who did it belong to?
10.41, Black American
What was the Italian mental age of the research?
11.01
What 3 conclusions did Yerkes make?
1- Intelligence is hereditary so it’s possible to grade people from the colour of their skin
2- The average man of most states could be considered moronic
3- Psychometric testing is a valid, scientific technique with wide implications for society
