Kaplan & Sacuzzo

Question 1

Why is test bias controversial?

Answer 1

We want to believe that all individuals are created equal. However, tests show substantial differences between groups of people. The most controversial difference arises when race is taken into account. African Americans consistently score 15 points lower (1 SD) than Whites on intelligence tests

Question 2

Some psychologists argue that intelligence tests are differentially valid - what does this mean?

Answer 2

the idea that tests mean different things to different groups of people

Question 3

Some tests are said to be biased in their content and language. How?

Answer 3

In terms of content, it is argued that some minority group members might score lower on tests because they have not had the opportunity to learn about the content they were being tested on. In terms of language, some argue that intelligence tests use language that are more in keeping with the white, middle class. As such, minority groups may do poorly on these tests because of their differential use of language

Question 4

Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis

Answer 4

This type of analysis attempts to identify test items that may be biased against a particular race/ethnic/gender. First, individuals are categorized by their scores on the test in question, such that individuals with the same scores are placed into one group. Then, all individuals in the group take the test. If a certain group of people collectively perform worse on certain items, then these items are considered biased

Question 5

Have studies supported the idea of differential validity?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

The strength of the correlation coefficient between the predictor and the criterion will tell us how well the predictor variable may predict performance on this external criterion. For example,

Answer 6

if the criterion is performance in graduate school and the predictor is performance on the GRE, a correlation coefficient of r = 0.8 states that there is a strong correlation between performance on the GRE and performance in grad school

Question 7

Describe the Chitling test

Answer 7

this test is based on the idea that minority and non minority children grow up in different environments, each environment requiring a set of skills for survival. Intelligence tests usually test on the skills needed to succeed in a white, middle classed environment. Thus, testing a minority child with this type of test is like testing a cat with a test designed to measure how a rat may perform in a rat’s environment
thus, the Chitling test asks questions that pertain to the skill sets an African-American child may need to survive in a predominantly African-American society. When White individuals take this test, their results come up as culturally deprived

Question 8

Describe the Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity (BITCH)

Answer 8

The BITCH is based on the idea that an IQ score is only useful for determining how one may perform in a white, middle classed environment. A survival quotient (SQ) may be more useful for predicting how a minority individual might succeed in a minority environment. As such, the BITCH presents test-takers with 100 slang vocabulary words characteristic of dialect of the African American community. When African Americans take this test, they outperform Whites

Question 9

What does BITCH stand for?

Answer 9

The Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity

Question 10

What is the problem with the BITCH’s prediction?

Answer 10

it is unclear what the BITCH is supposed to predict, whether it be school performance, success in life, or some other construct

Question 11

Does the BITCH help reclassify individuals who may have been improperly dubbed as educable mentally retarded (EMR)?

Answer 11

EMR individuals scored the same on the BITCH as they did on traditional measures of intelligence. Thus, the BITCH did not help reclassify individuals

Question 12

SOMPA

Answer 12

System of multicultural Pluralistic Assessment

Question 13

What is the main philosophical assertion underlying the SOMPA?

Answer 13

all individuals have equal potential. Any differences between groups are the result of cultural experiences. As such, individuals should only be compared to others who’ve had the same cultural experiences

Question 14

The SOMPA assesses intelligence using 3 domains, what are they?

Answer 14

1. Medical
2. Social domain
3. Pluralistic domain

Question 15

Describe the medical domain of the SOMPA?

Answer 15

Mercer (1972) asserted that medical problems can impede performance. Thus, individuals are asked if they represent an intact organism. To test the impact of medical problems, individuals are also tested on their vision, hearing, and motor skills

Question 16

Describe the social domain of the SOMPA?

Answer 16

in this domain, traditional measures of intelligence tests are given (eg the WISC). Scores on these measures are compared to the normative group

Question 17

Describe the pluralistic domain of the SOMPA?

Answer 17

the scores on the traditional intelligence tests are corrected for SES. These corrected scores are called estimated learning potentials (ELPs). ELPs thus help compare an individual’s intelligence with that of others in the same socioeconomic subgroup

Question 18

Why has the use of the SOMPA declined over the years?

Answer 18

The correlation between the ELPs and performance is only 0.40, while the correlation between the WISC and performance is 0.60. Mercer refuted this critique by stating that the SOMPA should be moreso used to identify individuals who have been wrongfully deemed EMR. However, critics state that the label you give to an individual does not matter. The individual will need help in school regardless.

Question 19

What are 3 ethical positions for hiring practices?

Answer 19

1. unqualified individualism
2. quota system
3. qualified individualism

Question 20

What is unqualified individualism?

Answer 20

the most qualified individuals are chosen for hiring. If personal variables such as race and gender help predict who is the most qualified, then these variables are taken into account. When unqualified individualism is used, more majority group members are chosen

Question 21

What is qualified individualism?

Answer 21

qualified individuals are chosen for hiring, but concepts of race, gender, etc are ignored if they result in bias against minority individuals.

Question 22

differential process theory

Answer 22

the idea that different subgroups of people have different problem solving skills. As such, they should be tested based on this set of skills as opposed to tests that are more characteristic of the white middle class.

Question 23

Some researchers say that grades should be used as the criterion of interest. However, there are 3 reasons for not using grades as the criterion:

Answer 23

1. Grades are subjective and open to interpretation
2. Few studies have used grades as the criterion
3. The most cited study that used grades as the criterion showed that intelligence test scores did not show an association with grades for minority individuals but did show an association among majority individuals.