The entire thesis of "The Bell Curve" disintegrates due to biased use of data, misrepresentations, and logical inconsistencies. Five basic flaws are: inferring causality from correlation, use of dubious racial categories, contradictory arguments concerning the immutability of cognitive ability and the relative contributions of heredity…

"The Bell Curve" declares that studies of separated identical twins--the "purest" of "direct" methods for estimating IQ heritability--indicate a value of +.75-+.80. But, the main study cited suggests a heritability of "two-thirds" for the middle class, and Herrnstein and Murray neglect to mention numerous…

Notes that preschool compensatory education has not resulted in any appreciable, durable gains in I.Q. or scholastic achievement. Posits that compensatory programs remedied deficiencies in knowledge but not in cognitive processes. Suggests further research into the nature of intelligence and its malleability. (PGD)

Criticizes claims in "The Bell Curve" that a high value for heritability of intelligence constrains the extent to which environmental changes can increase intelligence. Cites adoption studies and the increasing intelligence of successive cohorts of U.S. children as evidence that intelligence can increase substantially without heroic…

This paper considers the role of intelligence in lifetime achievement, noting the importance not only of general cognitive ability but also abilities not measured by standardized intelligence tests. It urges educators of the gifted to utilize their knowledge of intelligence and talent development to challenge the one-dimensional conception of…

Argues that the philosophical context noted in Haynes's "How Skewed Is 'The Bell Curve,'" is incomplete; that the Constitution does not treat blacks the same as whites; and that not enough cultural and social context was addressed. The authors characterize the "The Bell Curve" as a wrecking ball for dismantling social programs…

Agrees with Haynes' assessment of "The Bell Curve" as scientifically flawed research with adverse political implications and as pseudoscientifically representing racism. The author criticizes Haynes for not fully illuminating the dangerous implications (now occurring) for the well-being of blacks today and into the next century. (GR)

IQ tests and intelligence were discussed from an evolutionary perspective and implications concerning legal decisions and social policy were presented. It was concluded that disproportionate social and economic benefits need not result from the use of IQ tests in the selection of educational and occupational elites. (RD)

An approach to intelligence which emphasizes domain-specific constraints on knowledge structures is compared to information processing approaches. The evaluation of any cognitive ability as being intelligent crucially depends on prior specification of the formal constraints on the domains of knowledge from which that ability originates. (Author/RD)

Reviews controversies over intelligence and intelligence testing, focusing on impacts on Canadian society in the past century. Discusses eugenics movements and related immigration policies. Suggests that both "tails" of "The Bell Curve" (cognitive elite and underclass) are influenced by inaccurate methods, and that the middle…

Responds to this issue's initial article that presents 22 sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents. Suggests putting aside the terms "gifted" and "talented," creating a hierarchical or categorical list of abilities, and downplaying the dichotomous conceptualization of nature and nurture.…

In 1969, Arthur Jensen published his controversial article concluding that blacks are less intelligent than whites and that genetic factors explain more of the variance between the two groups than environmental differences. This paper criticizes Jensen's work and discusses its negative implications. Interpretive and methodological weaknesses in…

The history of the study of human mental ability is an example of the dialectic in social science between those who interpret data within the framework of existing social inequities and those who look for perspectives that might eventually dissolve inequities. The dedication of Henry Herbert Goddard to a belief in the scientific proof of…

Ramey and Haskins report two findings of major importance: absence of decline in test scores and absence of mother-child correlation for treated children. Implications of these findings are discussed. (Author)

Raises issues for consideration in responding to the genetically based differences in intelligence suggested by "The Bell Curve." The author articulates several theories of intelligence supporting the environmental (nurturing) paradigm and argues why labeling and categorizing according to IQ scores is professionally unethical and…