Brain Death of an Idea: The Heritability of Intelligence

Description

It is a matter of scientific debate to what extent intelligence is hereditary. However, in a relatively broad part of the public the opinion prevails that intelligence is to a large extent hereditary, which means that it can only be minimally improved through social intervention. The book presents the scientific methods for determining heritability in the individual. It is clear from these methods that there can be no general value for heritability of intelligence, and that a heritability value says practically nothing as to the extent to which intelligence can be altered. The volume traces the history of research on the heritability of intelligence. The discipline is manifestly plagued by dubious practices and has caused social damage on a large scale, for example in the context of eugenics, immigration or education policy. Title Page Copyright Table of Contents Body Introduction Part I: The methods for determining the heritability of mental traits, in particular of intelligence Quantitative genetic studies Molecular genetic studies Part II: Research on the heritability of intelligence – a dark chapter in the history of science Galton and the regression effect – a momentous misunderstanding Eugenics – from a plausible idea to paranoia Immigration and the intelligence of the nation 11+ – A tragedy unnoticed Scientific racism The Eysenck case Molecular genetic peculiarities Summary and comment Literature Index