Posted May 13, 200817 yr The Bell Curve - Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life, by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray Anyone read it? What do you think about it?
May 13, 200817 yr EDIT: this thread probably does not belong in "City Discussions" It was published amid much hoopla and controversy back when (mid 90s? can't recall), but was pretty thoroughly torn apart by leaders in the relevant technical fields. I remember reading a Stephen Jay Gould response in the New Yorker I think. The gist (as I recall): intelligence has a strong genetic component; smart people increasingly mate with one another; the result is increasingly intelligence-stratified gene pool which will result in a permanent genetically determined underclass. Much of the controversy was related to the sloppy racial conclusions the authors drew (which, like much of the book, were widely discredited).
May 14, 200817 yr I think intelligence is somewhat genetic (just as mental disorders are) but I don't think it correlates to race or gender. Intelligence itself is a vague term. The confidence, resources and drive people need to use intelligence to their full advantage can be inhibited by social stratification.
May 14, 200817 yr My brain just exploded. Lucky for the rest of us that there was minimal shrapnel damage! :wink2:
May 14, 200817 yr Intelligence itself is a vague term. The book spends much effort establishing that IQ is not vague, and that tests can quantify it. It then goes on to demonstrate that a great portion of IQ is genetic, and that better nurture can only fractionally raise intelligence. Since society is getting better at rewarding intelligence we are thus is becoming more stratified... I read half the book several years ago and I remember that much.
May 14, 200817 yr The IQ test puts limitations on what they define as intelligence. Here's a list of the different types of intelligence I found. Apparently there's 9. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”) Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like. 2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”) Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss. 3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart) Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns. Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives. Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments. 4. Existential Intelligence Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here. 5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”) Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives. 6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”) Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence. 7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart) Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers. Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles. 8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”) Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition. It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers. These young adults may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated. 9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”) Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming.
May 14, 200817 yr My brain just exploded. Lucky for the rest of us that there was minimal shrapnel damage! :wink2: You're funny for a Republican. I knew I kept you around for a reason.
May 14, 200817 yr My brain just exploded. Lucky for the rest of us that there was minimal shrapnel damage! :wink2: I just nicknamed one of our maintenance guys "Fausto" because he keeps throwing fastballs down the middle of the plate like this. :)
May 14, 200817 yr David; All of those facets are a function of a general intelligence which is measured by a good IQ test. See "g" factor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_%28factor%29 Make no mistake about it all those SAT ACT and other addmittance tests you take are trying their best to measure your general intelligence.
May 14, 200817 yr The IQ test puts limitations on what they define as intelligence. The IQ test puts limitations on what they define as intelligence. Here's a list of the different types of intelligence I found. Apparently there's 9. ... Thank you for posting this. Where did this come from? I have a 2 yo who seems to be ahead of the curve on numbers, letters, words and colors. We say (as all parents would for their child) that he is intelligent. My father (a highly intelligent yet testy man in his own right) responds that "this is not intelligence"..."intelligence is measured by problem solving." I contested that his definition was too narrow...this seems to support me.
May 14, 200817 yr The IQ test puts limitations on what they define as intelligence. The IQ test puts limitations on what they define as intelligence. Here's a list of the different types of intelligence I found. Apparently there's 9. ... Thank you for posting this. Where did this come from? I have a 2 yo who seems to be ahead of the curve on numbers, letters, words and colors. We say (as all parents would for their child) that he is intelligent. My father (a highly intelligent yet testy man in his own right) responds that "this is not intelligence"..."intelligence is measured by problem solving." I contested that his definition was too narrow...this seems to support me. Receiving and processing information is a key part of problem solving. Just remind your dad that intelligence is hereditary.
May 14, 200817 yr David; All of those facets are a function of a general intelligence which is measured by a good IQ test. See "g" factor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_%28factor%29 Make no mistake about it all those SAT ACT and other addmittance tests you take are trying their best to measure your general intelligence. Are you kidding me? The SAT test is a joke.
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