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Gartner, A., Greer, C., & Riessman, F. (1974). The new assault on equality: IQ
and social stratification. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
The above book explores the validity of IQ testing whilst delving into the racial,
cultural, and socioeconomic biases that affect IQ test outcomes. The editors
examine the legitimacy of IQ testing and whether it has grounds to possibly limit
people’s opportunities via its outcomes. The introduction, as well as chapters
What is Intelligence? and Testing for Competence rather than for Intelligence
will be useful to my research topic as they support my stance in the essay whilst
providing detailed information on intelligence and IQ test validity. A minor
limitation for my own research would be the book’s emphasis on racial and
social standing in relation to IQ testing, as I plan to focus on the broader topic of
IQ tests. This book provides useful information to my topic of research but will
not be one of my primary sources. Gartner, Greer, and Reissman, were all well-
respected academics, between them authoring many publications. Each editor
appears to have had interest in social causes, Gartner being a civil rights activist,
Greer serves as the president of the New World Foundation that supports
philanthropic organisations, and Reissman who actively worked for the 1960s
anti-poverty movement.
In this article Sternberg discusses his and his colleague’s theory of ‘successful
intelligence’ contrasted against traditional IQ testing, highlighting conventional
IQ tests outdatedness. The theory is evaluated by three projects undertaken by
Sternberg et al. that recognised a more expansive skillset than the typical
standardised test regarding university admissions. These improved university
entrant process as well as simultaneously increased diversity and calibre among
applicants. Sternberg’s article is beneficial to my research due to his stance that
IQ tests are becoming dated and that they lack focus on other prized areas of
intelligence. The main limitation of this article is that the three research
projects were based on students applying for university. Robert J Sternberg is
currently professor of human development at Cornell University, prior to this
role he has acted as president of the American Psychological Association. As the
author of many academic publications and recipient of prestigious awards in the
field, I found Sternberg a credible source to use in my research. This article is
advantageous to my research topic as it reflects the argument I wish to make
clear in my essay. Therefore, it will provide suitable evidence to prove my
opinion on IQ testing and its relevance.