What is it about?
In this study, my colleagues and I examined 29 of the most popular introductory psychology textbooks to determine the accuracy of their discussions of human intelligence. A total of 79.3% contained inaccurate statements, and almost all of them promoted non-mainstream theories over empirically supported theories of intelligence. It is likely that most introductory psychology students are exposed to inaccurate or distorted information in their textbooks.
Featured Image
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Human intelligence is an important construct in psychology, with far-reaching implications, providing insights into fields as diverse as neurology, international development, and sociology. Additionally, IQ scores can predict life outcomes in health, education, work, and socioeconomic status. Yet, students of psychology are often exposed to human intelligence only in limited ways. This study shows that even textbooks--which most students take at face value--are often inaccurate in their discussion of this important topic.
Perspectives
Writing a textbook is HARD. I know because I have done it. And writing a textbook for introductory psychology is even harder because authors have to discuss areas of psychology that may be outside of their expertise. So, I don't blame the authors for not being completely accurate. Still, I was disappointed by how frequently authors made basic factual errors that were easily avoidable. I am planning on sending a list of passages that my coauthors and I found problematic in the hopes that the authors improve future versions of their textbooks.
Dr Russell T. Warne
Independent Scholar
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks., Archives of Scientific Psychology, February 2018, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/arc0000038.
You can read the full text:
Resources
The incorrect reasoning of Lewontin's fallacy
Figure 3 in the article is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND License. the image--with accompanying caption--may be shared for non-commercial purposes with attribution to the authors, but may not be altered without permission of the copyright holder.
University press release
University press release describing the study
Daily Herald news article
Provo Daily Herald newspaper story about the study, featuring quotes from an interview with me and both of my coauthors.
KSL.com news story
KSL.com local news story about the study (mostly just a republished version of the press release).
British Psychological Society news story
Summary and news story about the study in the British Psychological Society's "Research Digest." Includes comments applying the study to a British context.
Blog summary by James Thompson
This is James Thompson's summary and commentary on the presentation we gave to the International Society for Intelligence Research in July 2017 in Montreal. Includes a copy of our presentation's PowerPoint slides.
Psychology Today article
"Psychology Today" article about the study. This one includes additional background information and quotes from an interview with Richard Haier, the editor of the journal "Intelligence" and the world's foremost expert on the neuroscience of intelligence.
Mad in America blog post
Blog post summarizing the study.
"Wrong About IQ?" Freedom Radio interview
Interview about the article with the very animated host of Freedom Radio.
New Scientist article
Article by Linda Geddes in the New Scientist discussing my work and other related research on intelligence.
The top 10 journal articles in 2018
This is a list of the 10 most downloaded articles published in 2018 by the American Psychological Association. My article was ranked 8th out of over 4,000 articles that APA published.
Second university press release
Press release announcing that the article was the 8th most downloaded article published by the American Psychological Association in 2018.
Second Daily Herald news article
Mention in the Provo Daily Herald that the article was the 8th most downloaded study published by the American Psychological Association in 2018.
Textbook author responses
Blog post describing the responses of textbook authors when I contacted to tell them about the factual inaccuracies in their books.
Intelligence beliefs survey
Survey of teachers and non-teachers regarding their beliefs and knowledge about intelligence.
Course catalog study
Study of the coverage of intelligence in university course catalogs.
In the Know: Debunking 35 Myths About Human Intelligence
My book about human intelligence, written for non-experts, that clarifies a lot of incorrect ideas about IQ and intelligence.
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
