IQ and Human Intelligence - Tapa blanda

"Now N. J. Mackintosh, a distinguished animal-learning theorist having considerable psychometric experience and no aversion to tackling difficult and controversial issues, weighs in with his own views [on the g factor]. IQ and Human Intelligence demonstrates that he has done his homework. . . . Mackintosh's analysis of purported environmental influences on intelligence is one of the most thoughtful in the literature. . . . One of the great strengths of this book is its treatment of cognitive science research relevant to understanding intelligence. Mackintosh's mastery of the empirical findings, their possible interpretation, and contemporary theory is impressive. . . . The scientific study of human intelligence was for a long time primarily an applied activity focused on measurement . . . [Now it] has become a major theoretical enterprise. [This book] is a superb introduction to the current status of both facets of this important and fascinating endeavor."--Science "This book provides an overview of the main issues around the study of intelligence, including the mdoern development of IQ testing, environmental and hereditary effects on intelligence, factor analysis, and theories of intelligence. It also looks at different kinds of intelligence, such as verbal and spatial abilities, and reasoning and problem solving. Mackintosh (psychology, U. of Cambridge) incorporates explanatory boxes and chapter summaries making this a useful text for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in psychology."--Reference & Research Book News

`What is intelligence?' may seem like a simple question to answer, but the study and measurement of human intelligence is one of the most controversial subjects in psychology. For much of its history, the focus has been on differences between people, on what it means for one person to be more intelligent than another, and how such differences might have arisen, obscuring efforts to understand the general nature of intelligence. These are obviously fundamental questions, still widely debated and misunderstood. New definitions of intelligence and new factors affecting intelligence are frequently being described, while psychometric testing is applied in most large industries. IQ and Human Intelligence provides a clear, authoritative overview of the main issues surrounding this fascinating area, including the modern development of IQ tests, the heritability of intelligence, theories of intelligence, environmental effects on IQ, factor analysis, relationship of cognitive psychology to measuring IQ, and intelligence in the social context. The clear, accessible style and numerous explanatory boxes make this the ideal text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology.