Exploring the Nature vs. Nurture Debate in Intelligence

1. Differences in Intelligence

2. NATURE (genetic influence) • Twins intelligence scores are virtually as similar to those of the same person taking a test twice. • Identical twins show a greater correlation in intelligence scores than fraternal twins. • Brain scans show twins have very similar gray matter volume

3. NURTURE (environmental influence) • Malnutrition can influence cognitive development • Head Start and other programs increase children’s school readiness. • Intelligence scores tend to rise during the school year and drop of in the summer months. Argument for year round schooling. • Identical twins reared apart have a lower intelligence correlation than those reared together.

4. The Flynn Effect • Overall intelligence testing has been improving this is called the Flynn Effect (Graph pg. 447) • The avg. person’s intelligence score 80 years ago is equal to a 76 today. • This trend has been observed in many countries. • What could cause the Flynn effect?

5. The Flynn Effect

6. Explaining the Flynn Effect • Better nutrition • Better education • More stimulating environments • Smaller families

7. Ethnic Similarities and Differences • The Disturbing Facts: • Racial groups differ in their average intelligence scores • Avg. IQ for Whites – 100 • Avg. IQ for Blacks – 85 • Avg. IQ for other minorities – between 85 and 100 • Although this gap is shrinking slowly, it still persists. • Are these differences due to genetics or the environment?

8. Ethnic Similarities and Differences • Genetics research reveals that under the skin, the races are remarkably alike. • Individual differences within races are much greater than the differences between races. • White and Black infants score equally well on infant intelligence measures.

9. Nature vs. Nurture Intelligence summary • Nature vs. Nurture-Intelligence – YouTube

10. Gender Differences • Gender differences in intelligence is minor… • Girls are better spellers • Girls are more verbally affluent • Girls surpassed boys in memory for picture associations • Girls are sensitive to touch, taste and odor • Girls are better at detecting emotions • Boys outnumber girls in underachievement - More boys in special education classes • Boys are better at math problem solving • Boys spatial ability is superior

11. Take the Australian and Chitling Tests • Take tests

12. Cultural Bias in testing • Is there cultural bias in testing?

13. What is meant by bias? • Tests detect differences caused by cultural experiences • Ex. Question – What is a Tobaggon? (regional bias southerners scored lower) • A cup is paired with a saucer or you buy insurance to protect your property • If this is the case, are intelligence tests a vehicle for discrimination? • Some defend the aptitude tests and believe they only reveal inequalities

14. Bias in Testing • TAKE STANDARDIZED TEST OF QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED DUE TO BIAS. • Q. WHY WERE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CONSIDERED BIAS

15. Environmental Explanations for IQ Gap • Self –fulfilling prophecies- Video Stossell in the classroom. • Student beliefs about themselves- WH/Bl DOLL experiment and Brown vs. bd. of education • Teacher beliefs about student abilities. Pygmallion in the classroom experiment. • How Priming Impacts Your Performance – YouTube • YOUTUBE- Doll Test • Teacher’s unconscious bias when selecting who can take upper level classes. CMS study on 6th to 12th grade English scores. • Nutrition and scores. • In group pressures to not "act white" Uncle Toms.

16. Environmental Explanations for IQ Gap • tests created by majority group. • Prejudice has negative influence on achievement. • Fewer role models. • Less of a perception of school as a means to better life. • Fewer family financial concerns. • (Role of TV films).

17. Stereotype Threat • Stereotype threat – a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype. (self-fulfilling prophecy) – p. 465 • Ex. Women score higher on math tests when they are not tested alongside of men • Ex. Blacks score higher when tested by a black test administrator rather than a white test administrator

18. Who succeeds on the SAT? • Studies show that upper class white males tend to perform better than any other subject. Why? • Test was created by white, upper-class males. – What does being like the test creators have anything to do with your ability to perform well on a test? • High socio economic status vocabulary • Test preparation - $$$ • Taking test several times - $$$ • Any others?

19. Evidence supporting SAT Bias • Females have higher HS GPA’s but males perform better on SAT’s • Over 1400 SAT scores (1600 scale): 29% from upper class 24% from middle class 14% from lower class High School performance among these particular students has opposite numbers.

20. Wake Forest Ends testing • No SATs for Wake Forest University – YouTube Wake Forest example lends doubt to the SATs | McClatchy A New Book Argues Against the SAT - NYTimes.com Review Institutional Discrimination and Standardized Testing/ Homogeneous Grouping.