Intelligence, Race, And Genetics: Conversations With Arthur R. Jensen

Author: Miele, Frank

Binding: hardcover

Format: Import

Number Of Pages: 256

Release Date: 06-11-2002

Details: Product Description



In a series of provocative conversations with
Skeptic magazine Ssenior editor Frank Miele, renowned University of California-Berkeley psychologist Arthur R. Jensen details the evolution of his thoughts on the nature of intelligence, tracing an intellectual odyssey that leads from the programs of the Great Society to the Bell Curve Wars and beyond. Miele cross-examines Jensen's views on general intelligence (the g factor), racial differences in IQ, cultural bias in IQ tests, and whether differences in IQ are due primarily to heredity or to remediable factors such as poverty and discrimination. With characteristic frankness, Jensen also presents his view of the proper role of scientific facts in establishing public policy, such as Affirmative Action.“Jensenism,” the assertion that heredity plays an undeniably greater role than environmental factors in racial (and other) IQ differences, has entered the dictionary and also made Jensen a bitterly controversial figure. Nevertheless,
Intelligence, Race, and Genetics carefully underscores the dedicated lifetime of scrupulously scientific research that supports Jensen's conclusions.



From Booklist


Research psychologist Arthur R. Jensen, once a staunch advocate of compensatory education, gained instant infamy when the media discovered his 1969 professional essay "How Much Can We Boost IQ and School Achievement?" with its three conclusions: compensatory education of disadvantaged children had failed, genetic rather than cultural differences explained more about differences in IQ, and genetics probably accounted for the 15-point difference in average IQ between whites and blacks. The last point was construed as supportive of white racial superiority, and all hell broke loose. Jensen continued his research, however, and now enjoys his colleagues' near-unanimous support. Indeed, in these interviews with Miele, he says his contentions, which he still regards as provisional, were never controversial among his peers. The main topics of conversation besides "Jensenism" and Jensen's motivations are intelligence per se, the heritability of intelligence, the nature of race (whether biological or cultural), science and politics, and science and policy. This makes fascinating but often demanding reading and confirms that Jensen is no racist: exogamy, he says, facilitates higher intelligence.
Ray Olson

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Review


"A chance...to learn [Jensen's] mature views in easily accessible, question and answer form." --
James Crow, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"An excellent introduction...about the man and the science behind the 'ism' of Jensenism." --
Professor Robert Plomin, King's College London

"Miele asks the hard questions and Jensen answers without blinking." --
Thomas J. Bouchard, Jr.,University of Minnesota

"Miele set out to 'skeptically cross-examine' Jensen on his views. The questions and answers...read like a conversation." --
Scientific American

"The work of an honest, courageous man, interviewing an honest, courageous man" --
E. O. Wilson

"This is science at its best: cautious and audacious, gripping and timely." --
Jon Entine, author of Taboo

"You will learn a lot about the man and his work." --
Douglas K. Detterman, editor, "Intelligence"


About the Author



Frank Miele'shighly regarded
Skeptic interviews include conversations with evolutionists Richard Dawkins and E. O. Wilson, anthropologists Donald Johanson, Lionel Tiger, and Robin Fox, ecologist Garrett Hardin, and psychologist Robert Sternberg. His articles have appeared on many web pages, including those of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society. He lives in Sunnyvale, California, with his Great Dane, Payce

EAN: 9780813340081

Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches

Languages: English