- 1. The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould is a critical examination of the historical and scientific underpinnings of the measurement of human intelligence, challenging the notion that intelligence can be quantified purely through metrics such as IQ tests and cranial measurements. Gould, a prominent paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, explores the biases and fallacies that have pervaded the field of intelligence testing from the 19th century onward, particularly focusing on the work of figures like Samuel George Morton and Arthur Jensen. He meticulously deconstructs the flawed methodologies and reasoning that have led to the justification of racial hierarchies and the misinterpretation of human potential. Throughout the book, Gould advocates for a more nuanced understanding of intelligence, emphasizing the role of environmental factors, the dangers of deterministic thinking, and the importance of viewing human beings as complex entities shaped by a myriad of influences rather than mere numbers on a scale. By blending history, science, and philosophy, Gould not only critiques the misapplication of measurement in academia but also calls for a more ethical and scientifically valid approach to understanding human diversity and capabilities.
Which 19th-century practice is heavily criticized in the book for its attempts to rank intelligence by skull size?
A) Trepanation
B) Bloodletting
C) Phrenology
D) Craniometry
- 2. What is the name of the intelligence test that Gould argues was misused to label immigrants as 'feeble-minded'?
A) The Myers-Briggs test
B) The Stanford-Binet test
C) The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
D) The Rorschach test
- 3. What statistical concept does Gould explain is often reified (mistaken for a real entity) in intelligence testing?
A) g, or general intelligence
B) The mean average
C) Statistical significance
D) Standard deviation
- 4. Which early 20th-century American movement was justified by the misuse of IQ tests, as discussed by Gould?
A) The Suffrage movement
B) The Labor movement
C) Eugenics
D) Prohibition
- 5. Gould argues that the theory of IQ as a single, innate entity is a form of what?
A) Cultural relativism
B) Biological determinism
C) Existentialism
D) Behaviorism
- 6. What famous legal case involving forced sterilization is discussed in the book?
A) Roe v. Wade
B) Plessy v. Ferguson
C) Buck v. Bell
D) Brown v. Board of Education
- 7. Which scientist's work on craniometry is a central focus of Gould's critique in the first edition?
A) Francis Galton
B) Louis Agassiz
C) Charles Darwin
D) Samuel George Morton
- 8. What does Gould conclude about the possibility of measuring innate intelligence?
A) It is only possible in adults
B) It is the most important goal of psychology
C) It is easily done with a simple test
D) It is not possible to separate from culture and environment
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