Uses inexpensive equipment to demonstrate, through factorial design, an interaction between genetics and environment. Provides instructions for introducing and conducting the experiment, reporting that significant results are usually obtained. Notes the exercise is appropriate for experimental psychology, developmental psychology, behavior…

This article reviews positions of scientists, educators and publicists who resisted eugenics and determinism. The nature nurture controversy is discussed, as well as the impact of eugenics on American classrooms. Specific attention is given to four resisters: Dewey, Bagley, Jennings, and Lippmann. (IAH)

"The Bell Curve" declares that studies of separated identical twins--the "purest" of "direct" methods for estimating IQ heritability--indicate a value of +.75-+.80. But, the main study cited suggests a heritability of "two-thirds" for the middle class, and Herrnstein and Murray neglect to mention numerous…

James Baldwin's ideas, such as that of a genetic science, and their influence on later theorists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Kohlberg, are described. The further Baldwin moved from the study of infancy, the more speculative and the less empirically verifiable became his ideas. (BC)

The utility of developmental behavioral genetics in the study of reading disability is considered. Research which has found reading disability to be partly genetically determined is cited, and future research applications are discussed. (Author/JDD)

Provides a brief history of the empiricism-nativism issue, considering present-day intellectual roots of nativist and empiricist inclinations. A schema is proposed for explaining the ontogenetic origin of an innate attribute or principle relevant to language. An attempt is made to explain the origin of primitives as derived by learning. (Contains…

Illustrates contribution of genetic and environmental factors to differential ratings of within-family behavior and environmental differences. Maintains that, assuming differential ratings are a linear function of underlying trait differences, it is simple to recover within-family statistics, offering a more legitimate basis than comparing mean…

Describes some of the ways conformity in science is rewarded and defiance punished with reference to the work of Arthur Jensen. Notes that some of his work makes outstanding contributions to the science of intelligence, while other work is considered regressive. (SLD)

Describes Arthur Jensen's contributions to the study of general intelligence ("g"). His research has led to studies of genetic intelligence and speed of cognitive processing and the study of biological correlates of "g." (SLD)

Reviews the work of Arthur Jensen, noting his extensive bibliography and characterizing his work as an extension of the British Biological-Theoretical Tradition. Proposes a new definition of "Jensenism" based on the Jansenist heresy. (SLD)

Describes public controversy over Jensen's work on genetic differences in intelligence as an example of sociopolitical consequences that can accompany the dispersion in "g" (general factor of intelligence) in a society. (Author/SLD)

Describes the historical education of individuals with deafness and explores how the conjunction of deafness, language development, and intellect and reason led philosophers in 17th-century England, and most importantly, 18th-century enlightenment France, to adopt persons with deafness as natural recruits into their studies on the essence of human…

Discussion of the development of mathematical talent in students identifies seven distinct levels of talent and suggests that Srinivasa Ramanujan, the Indian mathematician considered to be self-taught, actually received good schooling and studied a comprehensive advanced mathematical text. This suggests that good instruction is as necessary for…

Examines self-concept, assuming it to be genetic in origin and that adolescents' perception of personal, relational, and academic self-identity occurs uniformly across cultures. Results indicate a high similarity between the majority and minority adolescents, suggesting developmental propensities in self-concept formation. Environment seemed…

Biological determinism represents a pseudo-scientific inquiry that is ultimately used to foster a scientific rationale for the maintenance of classism, racism, and sexism in general. Genetic diversity is an inescapable fact, but it is cultures that human brains have created that most severely limit potential. (SLD)