Unit 11: Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence

In the sense that they detect differences caused by cultural experiences, intelligence tests probably (are/are not) biased.

are

Most psychologists agree that, in terms of predictive validity, the major aptitude tests (are/are not) racially biased.

are not

Under the skin, the races (are/are not) alike. Race (is/is not) a neatly defined biological category.

are; is not

The amount of variation in a trait within a group that is attributed to genetic factors is called its ___. For intelligence, this has been estimated at ___ percent.

heritability; 50

Although Asian students on the average score (higher/lower) than North American students on math tests, this difference may be due to the fact that _____________.

it reflects conscientiousness more than competence

According to many, boy's and girls' interests and abilities are shaped in large part by __ ___ and divergent opportunities. The mental ability scores of males tend to vary (less/more) than those of females.

social expectations; more

High-quality programs for disadvantaged children, such as the government-funded ___ ___ program, increase children's school readiness; that is, they increase their ___ ___, creating better attitudes toward learning.

Head Start; emotional intelligence

On an infant intelligence measure (preference for looking at novel stimuli), Black infants score (lower than/higher than/as well as) White infants.

as well as

Although girls have an edge in math ___, boys score higher in math ___ ___. Boys tend to outscore girls on tests of ___ ___.

computation; problem solving; mental rotation

Group differences in intelligence scores (do/do not) provide an accurate basis fro judging individuals. Individual differences within a race are (greater than/less than) between-race differences.

do not; greater than

Studies indicate that neglected children (do/do not) show signs of recovery in intelligence and behavior when placed in more nurturing environments. Although normal brain development can be retarded by ___, ___ deprivation, and ___ ___, there is no sure environment that will transform a normal baby into a genius.

do; malnutrition; sensory; social isolation

If we know a trait has perfect heritability, this knowledge (does/does not) enable us to rule out environmental factors in explaining differences between groups.

does not

The intelligence test scores of other siblings. This provides evidence of a (genetic/environmental) effect because fraternal twins, being the same ___ are treated more alike

environmental; age

Working from an ___ perspective, some theorists speculate that these gender differences in spatial manipulation helped our ancestors survive.

evolutionary

There is evidence that spatial abilities are enhanced by high levels of ___ ___ ___ during prenatal development.

male sex hormones

Studies of adopted children and their adoptive and biological families demonstrate that with age, genetic influences on intelligence become (more/less) apparent. Thus, children's intelligence scores are more like those of their (biological/adoptive) parents than their (biological/adoptive) parents.

more; biological; adoptive

The intelligence scores of identical twins reared together are (more/no more) similar than those of fraternal twins. Brain scans also reveal that identical twins have similar volume to their brain's ___ ___, and those areas associated with ___ and ___ intelligence.

more; gray matter; verbal; spatial

Because intelligence is influenced by many genes, it is said to be ___.

polygenetic

Girls tend to outscore boys on ___ tests and are more ___ fluent. They also have an edge in ___ and ___ objects, in sensation, and in ___-detecting ability.

spelling; verbally; remembering; locating; emotion

When women and members of ethnic minorities are led to expect that they won't do well on a test, a ___ ___ may result, and their scores may actually be lower.

stereotype threat