Discussion:
IQ Testing in the Determination of Intelligence
There is a ongoing debate between proponents of the heredity approach (who believe that intelligence is genetically determined) and the environment approach (who argue that intelligence depends at least in part on an individual's experience and environment).
The important practical (and political) issue arising from this debate is whether compensatory programs such as the government's Head Start Program should be adopted in order to improve individuals' mental abilities. Not surprisingly, proponents of the heredity approach argue that such programs are a waste of time and resources and that intelligence is immutable (unchangeable), whereas proponents of the environment approach suggest that intelligence can be --and should be-- trained.
Consider also the use of IQ testing in the determination of intelligence. Do you think the use of IQ scores is a helpful educational tool? What are some of the problems with IQ testing generally?