Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

K E Y T E R M S 
culture-fair IQ test p. 301
heritability p. 301
304 Chapter 
9 
Intelligence
R E C A P / E V A L U A T E / R E T H I N K
R E C A P 
Are traditional IQ tests culturally biased?
• Traditional intelligence tests have frequently been criti-
cized for being biased in favor of the white middle-class 
population. This controversy has led to attempts to de-
vise culture-fair tests, IQ measures that avoid questions 
that depend on a particular cultural background. (p. 300) 
Are there racial differences in intelligence?
• Issues of racial differences in intelligence are very contro-
versial in part because of the diffi culty of defi ning the 
concept of race scientifi cally and disagreement over 
what constitutes an unbiased measure of race. (p. 301) 
To what degree is intelligence infl uenced by the environment 
and to what degree by heredity?
• Attempting to distinguish environmental from heredi-
tary factors in intelligence is probably futile and certainly 
misguided. Because individual IQ scores vary far more 
than group IQ scores, it is more critical to ask what can 
be done to maximize the intellectual development of 
each individual. (p. 301)
E VA LU AT E
1. Intelligence tests may be biased toward the prevailing cul-
ture in such a way that minorities are put at a disadvan-
tage when taking these tests. True or false?
2. A(n) 
test tries to use only questions appropri-
ate to all the people taking the test.
3. IQ tests can accurately determine the intelligence of entire 
groups of people. True or false?
4. Intelligence can be seen as a combination of 
and 
factors.
R E T H I N K
1. There’s been a steady rise in average IQ scores in the 
United States over the last several decades. Why might 
this be the case? Do you think it represents an actual in-
crease in intelligence?
2. From a college admissions offi cer’s perspective: Imagine you 
notice that students who are members of minority groups 
systematically receive lower scores on standardized col-
lege entrance exams. What suggestions do you have for 
helping these students improve their scores? What advice 
about their college applications would you give these stu-
dents to help them be competitive applicants?