Overview

This text examines various theories regarding IQ. The author reviews and rejects claims such as: tht IQ tests provide a measure of inherent mental capacities; that intelligence and ""race"" are linked; that there is a ""gene for intelligence""; and that low IQ means restricted capabilities. He aims to show how these and other claims havae dubious intellectual support and damaging social consequences, and seeks a more careful understanding of the central questions.

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9780761955788

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Reviews

'In this remarkably economical, clear and informed book, Mike Howe... sets about unravelling the formidable semantic, logical and empirical knots into which IQ testers and their supporters have tied themselves... Howe suggests that we have, for decades, been asking the wrong kinds of questions. He points to the number of alternative, theoretically richer, views of human intelligence that don't reduce all to a single dimension... this is rendered with an easy, readable style which assumes no previous technical knowledge, and is therefore ideal for the introductory student, the teacher, members of other professions often exposed to (and taken in by) the myths of IQ, and even concerned members of the general public. I hope all will read it, for, in terms of general instructiveness and specific revelations-per-page, they will scarcely find a more rewarding work, nor one that will have wider implications for their hopes for children or people in general' - British Journal of Educational Psychology 'A rational attempt to present the case against IQ testing... There are fascinating nuggets of historical information scattered across the pages' - Business Standard 'Michael Howe has presented an accessible and thorough discussion of all aspects of IQ and intelligence. This book is an important counterweight to many prevailing myths' - Professor George Mandler, University of California, San Diego 'Michael Howe's book deserves to be a popular success. It presents the arguments against conventional IQ theory in a cogent and accessible style. This book responds to the contemporary hard-line IQ position with solid evidence for the malleability of human experience in the development of intelligence. Howe attacks the racist implications of the newly resurgent IQ movement with real science and sound argument' - Professor Roy Nash, Massey University, New Zealand 'This stimulating book calls into question a great deal of current orthodoxy about the nature of IQ and the way society interprets and uses the concept. It will disturb some readers and excite others. It is written in a refreshing style which will engage both lay and specialist audiences... the book will make a significant, if sometimes controversial, contribution to the debate about human talent and potential, as well as inform and challenge discussions abut education, training and remediation' - Professor Edward C Wragg, University of Exeter School of Education 'In this highly accessible review, Professor Howe leaves barely a stone unturned in his scrutiny [of IQ]... The result is an expos[ac]e of myths and falsehoods that will be widely welcomed for its thoroughness, comprehensiveness, readability and social implication. For all those learning, thinking or working in the shadow of IQ, this book provides a brighter light and a critical base with which to assess its true nature and its role in society' - Professor Ken Richardson, The Open University School of Education 'In this remarkably economical, clear and informed book, Mike Howe... sets about unravelling the formidable semantic, logical and empirical knots into which IQ testers and their supporters have tied themselves... Howe suggests that we have, for decades, been asking the wrong kinds of questions. He points to the number of alternative, theoretically richer, views of human intelligence that don't reduce all to a single dimension... this is rendered with an easy, readable style which assumes no previous technical knowledge, and is therefore ideal for the introductory student, the teacher, members of other professions often exposed to (and taken in by) the myths of IQ, and even concerned members of the general public. I hope all will read it, for, in terms of general instructiveness and specific revelations-per-page, they will scarcely find a more rewarding work, nor one that will have wider implications for their hopes for children or people in general' - British Journal of Educational Psychology 'A rational attempt to present the case against IQ testing... There are fascinating nuggets of historical information scattered across the pages' - Business Standard 'Michael Howe has presented an accessible and thorough discussion of all aspects of IQ and intelligence. This book is an important counterweight to many prevailing myths' - Professor George Mandler, University of California, San Diego 'Michael Howe's book deserves to be a popular success. It presents the arguments against conventional IQ theory in a cogent and accessible style. This book responds to the contemporary hard-line IQ position with solid evidence for the malleability of human experience in the development of intelligence. Howe attacks the racist implications of the newly resurgent IQ movement with real science and sound argument' - Professor Roy Nash, Massey University, New Zealand 'This stimulating book calls into question a great deal of current orthodoxy about the nature of IQ and the way society interprets and uses the concept. It will disturb some readers and excite others. It is written in a refreshing style which will engage both lay and specialist audiences... the book will make a significant, if sometimes controversial, contribution to the debate about human talent and potential, as well as inform and challenge discussions abut education, training and remediation' - Professor Edward C Wragg, University of Exeter School of Education 'In this highly accessible review, Professor Howe leaves barely a stone unturned in his scrutiny [of IQ]... The result is an expos[ac]e of myths and falsehoods that will be widely welcomed for its thoroughness, comprehensiveness, readability and social implication. For all those learning, thinking or working in the shadow of IQ, this book provides a brighter light and a critical base with which to assess its true nature and its role in society' - Professor Ken Richardson, The Open University School of Education

'In this remarkably economical, clear and informed book, Mike Howe... sets about unravelling the formidable semantic, logical and empirical knots into which IQ testers and their supporters have tied themselves... Howe suggests that we have, for decades, been asking the wrong kinds of questions. He points to the number of alternative, theoretically richer, views of human intelligence that don't reduce all to a single dimension... this is rendered with an easy, readable style which assumes no previous technical knowledge, and is therefore ideal for the introductory student, the teacher, members of other professions often exposed to (and taken in by) the myths of IQ, and even concerned members of the general public. I hope all will read it, for, in terms of general instructiveness and specific revelations-per-page, they will scarcely find a more rewarding work, nor one that will have wider implications for their hopes for children or people in general' - British Journal of Educational Psychology 'A rational attempt to present the case against IQ testing... There are fascinating nuggets of historical information scattered across the pages' - Business Standard 'Michael Howe has presented an accessible and thorough discussion of all aspects of IQ and intelligence. This book is an important counterweight to many prevailing myths' - Professor George Mandler, University of California, San Diego 'Michael Howe's book deserves to be a popular success. It presents the arguments against conventional IQ theory in a cogent and accessible style. This book responds to the contemporary hard-line IQ position with solid evidence for the malleability of human experience in the development of intelligence. Howe attacks the racist implications of the newly resurgent IQ movement with real science and sound argument' - Professor Roy Nash, Massey University, New Zealand 'This stimulating book calls into question a great deal of current orthodoxy about the nature of IQ and the way society interprets and uses the concept. It will disturb some readers and excite others. It is written in a refreshing style which will engage both lay and specialist audiences... the book will make a significant, if sometimes controversial, contribution to the debate about human talent and potential, as well as inform and challenge discussions abut education, training and remediation' - Professor Edward C Wragg, University of Exeter School of Education 'In this highly accessible review, Professor Howe leaves barely a stone unturned in his scrutiny [of IQ]... The result is an expos[ac]e of myths and falsehoods that will be widely welcomed for its thoroughness, comprehensiveness, readability and social implication. For all those learning, thinking or working in the shadow of IQ, this book provides a brighter light and a critical base with which to assess its true nature and its role in society' - Professor Ken Richardson, The Open University School of Education

Author Information

Michael J A Howe is Professor of Psychology at the University of Exeter. He has written widely about human intelligence and his publications include The Origins of Exceptional Abilities (1990) and Fragments of Genius (1989).

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