Difference between revisions of "Intelligence testing"
(cultural bias) |
(move weasel-worded, one-sided claim to discussion page) |
||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
In the United States, intelligence tests were to classify recruits and draftees for service in World War II. The more technical jobs were assigned to men with higher scores. Sociologists also noted racial differences in scores, and some supposed that these differences were inherent. A controversy over this matter has raged ever since. | In the United States, intelligence tests were to classify recruits and draftees for service in World War II. The more technical jobs were assigned to men with higher scores. Sociologists also noted racial differences in scores, and some supposed that these differences were inherent. A controversy over this matter has raged ever since. | ||
| − | Open questions for psychologists and sociologists focus on what produces differences in [[intelligence]], whether intelligence can be developed or stunted by upbringing and education, and why different [[race]]s or cultural groups have significantly different scores | + | Open questions for psychologists and sociologists focus on what produces differences in [[intelligence]], whether intelligence can be developed or stunted by upbringing and education, and why different [[race]]s or cultural groups have significantly different scores. |
Revision as of 12:36, March 31, 2007
Intelligence testing began in organized way in the early 20th Century with the Stanford-Binet test. The purpose was to form an estimate of a person's aptitude before investing time and money in their education.
At the time these tests were developed, medical science and psychology were in their infancy. Ideas such as eugenics still had currency, and intelligence tests were used to weed out so-called "defectives".
Testers classified people as idiots, imbeciles, morons, normal, above average, and geniuses on a numerical scale based on mental age. For children, dividing the mental age by chronological age produces the intelligence quotient (IQ) used for placement in slow or rapid classes.
In the United States, intelligence tests were to classify recruits and draftees for service in World War II. The more technical jobs were assigned to men with higher scores. Sociologists also noted racial differences in scores, and some supposed that these differences were inherent. A controversy over this matter has raged ever since.
Open questions for psychologists and sociologists focus on what produces differences in intelligence, whether intelligence can be developed or stunted by upbringing and education, and why different races or cultural groups have significantly different scores.