Forum |
Influences on Intelligence
Friday, Jan 8 at 7:00 PM
Many personal attributes contribute to an individual’s "success" in today’s complex society. These attributes include such things as social skills, assertiveness, tenacity, and creativity. In addition, most people would argue that higher general intelligence, as measured by IQ tests, has a positive correlation to many different kinds of individual successes. In their controversial book "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life" the authors Herrnstein and Murray go so far as to argue that a young person’s intelligence (IQ) is a more important determinant of social and economic success than the socioeconomic status of the person’s parents. (Although some social scientists tend to downplay the importance of IQ as measure by intelligence tests.)
A controversial question (just ask Herrnstein and Murray) is what causes some people to possess a higher intelligence than others. Some scientists would argue that high intelligence is mainly inherited through good genes. Others would argue that high intelligence is mainly the result of environmental factors. "The Bell Curve..." added a lot of fuel to an already heated "nature versus nurture" clash of beliefs. Political, social, and economic decisions are being influenced by this debate.
Our speaker for the Forum is Craig Nagoshi Ph.D. who is an Associate Professor in ASU’s Psychology Department. Professor Nagoshi teaches classes in Behavioral Genetics and has conducted cross cultural research studies. Professor Nagoshi will address the "nature versus nurture" debate and some of the other issues raised in the book "The Bell Curve...". Also there will be time to address your questions and concerns. It should prove to be a very interesting Forum.
To get to AutoNation, take the Ray Road exit off I-10 East, turn left over the freeway on Ray, then turn left at the first road (54th St.), go one block and turn left on Orchard. The Post-Forum discussion will be at Keegans only a few blocks away.
Questions?: Call Jerry Corbin at 438-0958.