Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “A great book about the dangers of prior assumptions in science by one of the premiere science writers of the late 20th century.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“A great book about the dangers of prior assumptions in science by one of the premiere science writers of the late 20th century.”
Brad P wrote this review Friday, September 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Overview: Editorial Review.
The Literary Hammer wrote this review Saturday, January 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
In the current heated discussions of hereditary vs. environmental impacts on IQ, Gould's National Book Critics' Circle Award-winning book deserves a hearing. ”
“This is my favorite Stephen Jay Gould book. It's a really accessible tour of statistics and research that has been used to prove and disprove all sorts of things about people--racism, sexism, poverty, etc. I believe he may have written this book in response to another book called "The Bell Curve" that purported to prove that blacks were biologically inferior to whites. To which I say, "BS, and check out Gould's book".”
Rhyn D wrote this review Wednesday, February 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I needed to read this just so I can say I have - it's a classic when it comes to Darwinism, so interesting in that respect.”
bencasnocha wrote this review Monday, February 4 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Does one race have an advantage over the others with regard to intelligence? Is the Bell Curve logical or even fair? These are questions posed in this scientific discussion. The author challenges the idea that a race is pre-disposed to higher intelligence or any other tendency than the others. It is a great read to have under your belt if you want to combat racist ideals.”
Mary B wrote this review Sunday, January 13 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A must read for any parent or teacher. Especially those who are particularly invested in testing.”
Sadie P wrote this review Thursday, November 15 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Growing up I loved the original version of this book, and I’ve recently read the revised edition, which primarily adds a critique of The Bell Curve.
Peach wrote this review Wednesday, November 7 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The Mismeasure of Man is probably Gould’s most famous book, and it infuriated some psychologists at the time of its publication because of its perceived oversimplification of their work. Even now that I see their critique, I think it is fair to point out that Gould brought the same type of simplified account of his own branch of research as he did to that of psychologists working in intelligence measurement. He was critical of the use of science to oppress wherever it was found.
Gould traces the development of intelligence theory as it relates to general intelligence — the idea that intelligence is one-dimensional. And, although this approach to intelligence isn’t inherently prejudiced, he discusses the way that craniometry, criminology, and IQ theory all reified “general intelligence” in the service of the racist, sexist, and classist assumptions of the investigators. Gould also questions the idea that intelligence is one-dimensional at all. And, above all, he emphasizes the distinction between the use of testing as a way to identify individuals who need assistance, and the use of testing as a servant to biological determinism.”
Displaying 1-8 of 8
