Quote:
Originally Posted by NHB7
IQ tests are a BS way of actually measuring intelligence. Furthermore, if there is a significant difference in IQ scores from one ethnicity in America compared to another, it is more likely due to their access to resources like good schools, not due to their capacity to obtain knowledge, as all humans are made up from pretty much the exact same genetic make up minus frivilous differences that are statistically insignificant.
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The thing is this though:
Regardless of whether or not you think IQ tests are fair, or culturally biased, or reflect something that is more innate or trained, IQ scores correlate with income, scholastic achievement, and degree of education achieved (and this is true prospectively, i.e. IQ at a young age predicts achievement later on). So whether or not IQ correlates with any possible definition of intelligence isn't particularly important as it is known to have predictive power for a subset of important parameters. There is also evidence that well designed IQ tests can predict types of intelligence that the tests don't directly measure, but that's a discussion for another day.
Furthermore, there have been a variety of studies of interventions to increase IQ in disadvantaged populations. Typically, the gains have been modest and short lived.
Incidentally, you can interesting information along these lines here:
www.gnxp.com