Derrick Bell's thesis, that racism is a permanent feature of society, is frequently misrepresented by detractors as signaling a view of racism as monolithic--bold, obvious, and unchanging. This paper argues that critical race theory [CRT] reveals a very different understanding of racism as relentless, yet fluid, and quick to morph depending on…

The impetus for our study was the contention of both Lynn [Lynn, R. (1991) "Race differences in intelligence: A global perspective." "Mankind Quarterly," 31, 255-296] and Rushton [Rushton, J. P. (1995). "Race, evolution and behavior: A life history perspective." New Brunswick, NJ: "Transaction"; Rushton, J.…

The Genetics Society of America has released a statement saying that the possibility of a "genetic difference in intelligence between races" is still an open question and warning against "the misuse of genetics for political purposes". (Editor)

Discusses Jensen's research and writings on genetic v environmental determinants of intelligence. Reviews professional response to his 1969 "Harvard Educational Review" article, and briefly considers the work of other researchers on the relationship between race and intelligence. (GC)

Outlines eight premises of individuals who believe racial differences influence mental ability (e.g., IQ tests accurately measure mental ability and IQ tests are equally valid across racial, ethnic, and cultural groups), challenging the classicist model of intelligence on which hereditarian assumptions of racial disparity are based. Refutes each…

Summarizes Arthur Jensen's theories on IQ, heritability, and Black intelligence and reviews some responses to Jensen. (JLF)

School psychologists, considered experts on intelligence and assessment, have an ethical obligation to read and understand "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in America." Many would rather avoid than confront issues presented. Discusses four questions to consider before dismissing the book: "How helpful is it?"; "Could the…

From the monthly Saturday Review supplement, "Education in America, sponsored by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation.

The authors of The Bell Curve have been accused of everything from racism to poor research. However, the book could have a tremendous impact on the role of intelligence in social science and social policy. It is especially relevant for adult education programs geared to the less fortunate, and it is appropriate to discuss the merits of the book…

Criticizes Herrnstein and Murray for their lack of respect for the truth, displayed throughout "The Bell Curve"; their willingness to encourage disharmony between groups they identify as cognitively different and to foment fear and distrust of an alleged underclass portrayed as dangerous and beyond help; and their lack of interest in…

Challenges Jensen's arguments (set forth in the book "Bias in Mental Testing") that intelligence tests are scientifically unbiased and that IQ and other mental tests measure something called "intelligence" by refuting Jensen's reading of the psychometric research literature. (EF)

Argues against the presence of dysgenic trends for IQ on the basis of absence of change in the differences between various groups. Illustrates this with an example of the numbers of children born to Black and to White women at different educational levels. Discusses the effects, mechanisms, and implications of dysgenesis for IQ. (MMU)

The controversy over the causes of intelligence--genetic or environmental--is reviewed. More specifically, the subject of the consistently lower intelligence scores for blacks is analyzed. Much attention is devoted to Jensen and his monograph published in the "Harvard Educational Review," entitled "How much can we boost IQ and scholastic…