The Bell Curve

Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book The Bell Curve by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira, Macat Library
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christine Ma, Michael Schapira ISBN: 9781351352956
Publisher: Macat Library Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Macat Library Language: English
Author: Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
ISBN: 9781351352956
Publisher: Macat Library
Publication: July 5, 2017
Imprint: Macat Library
Language: English

Herrnstein & Murray's The Bell Curve is a deeply controversial text that raises serious issues about the stakes involved in reasoning and interpretation.

The authors’ central contention is that intelligence is the primary factor determining social outcomes for individuals – and that it is a better predictor of achievement than income, background or socioeconomic status. One of the major issues raised by the book was its discussion of 'racial differences in intelligence,' and its contention that there is a link between the low observed test scores and social outcomes for African-Americans and their lack of social attainment.

While the authors produce and interpret a great deal of data to back up their contentions, they ultimately fail to tackle the problem that neither 'intelligence' nor 'race' have widely accepted definitions in biology, anthropology or sociology. In consequence, the book has been termed both ‘racist’ and ‘pseudoscientific’ thanks to what its critics see as both its faulty reasoning and its uncautious interpretation of evidence. The debate continues to this day, with academics on both sides engaged in fierce arguments over what can be argued from the data that Herrnstein and Murray used.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Herrnstein & Murray's The Bell Curve is a deeply controversial text that raises serious issues about the stakes involved in reasoning and interpretation.

The authors’ central contention is that intelligence is the primary factor determining social outcomes for individuals – and that it is a better predictor of achievement than income, background or socioeconomic status. One of the major issues raised by the book was its discussion of 'racial differences in intelligence,' and its contention that there is a link between the low observed test scores and social outcomes for African-Americans and their lack of social attainment.

While the authors produce and interpret a great deal of data to back up their contentions, they ultimately fail to tackle the problem that neither 'intelligence' nor 'race' have widely accepted definitions in biology, anthropology or sociology. In consequence, the book has been termed both ‘racist’ and ‘pseudoscientific’ thanks to what its critics see as both its faulty reasoning and its uncautious interpretation of evidence. The debate continues to this day, with academics on both sides engaged in fierce arguments over what can be argued from the data that Herrnstein and Murray used.

More books from Macat Library

Cover of the book The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book The Black Swan by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Gender Trouble by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book The Art of War by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book The Better Angels of Our Nature by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Debt by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Revolution by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Rule of St Benedict by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Roll, Jordan, Roll by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Reconstruction by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Before European Hegemony by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Can the Subaltern Speak? by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Homeward Bound by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
Cover of the book Guns, Germs & Steel by Christine Ma, Michael Schapira
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy