Core Studies: Gould

• What did it study?

  Classic study of bias in IQ testing
• Background part 1

  1. 1st gen of intelligence tests from early 1900s eg Weschler tests, were individual tests, whereas group tests are administered to several people at once
  2. major push to develop group tests was US involvement in WW1, needed quick and easy method of selecting over 1mn recruits, so Yerkes made Army Alpha and Beta tests- believed intelligence inherited so couldn’t be changed, and believed it could be measured objectively using scoring system
• Background part 2?

  3. Gould used Yerkes tests to show the problematic nature of early psychometric testing and intelligence testing

  4. Gould wanted to show theory that intelligence is innate and prejudice of society could distort objectivity of IQ testing
• What was the aim

  to examine the early history of intelligence testing as conducted by Yerkes on army recruits in the USA in WW1
• Describe Yerkes sample 


  1.75mn army recruits in USA during WW1 White Americans, Black Americans, European immigrants
• What was the research method?

  Was a review article of Yerkes testing of recruits for the US army during WW1
• What was the political consequence of Yerkes tests 


  Immigration Restriction Act 1924 passed by US Congress based on findings, people from South/East Europe who scored poorly on test no longer welcome in US, meant Jews denied entry before both WWs, endangered their lives
• What was the procedure

  Early 1917 produced army Alpha and Beta tests which takes an hour to complete. Alpha were written test for literate recruits, 8 sections eg completing analogies, questions relating to American culture eg asking what Crisco is. Beta pictoral test for illiterate or those who failed the Alpha test, 7 parts 3 of which answers had to be given in writing eg completing a maze, culturally specific images. Individual test for people who failed Beta test (rare and was carried out by Goulds small team)
• What were the problems with the procedure?

  Tests were in rushed and intimidating conditions- took less than an hour and candidates weren’t warned. Some men who failed the Alpha tests weren’t allowed to take Beta test
• What were the findings?

  Average mental age of white americans 13 years, black americans 10.4 years. Eugenics movement used this to perpetuate ideas that Black people are poor and feeble-minded, discourage interbreeding as lower overall intelligence of population
• What were the conclusions of Yerkes


  1. intelligence is innate quality with hereditary basis and possible to grade by colour of skin
  2. average man of most nations is a ‘moron’
  3. mental testing is valid and scientific technique
• What were Goulds conclusions


  1. IQ tests are culturally biased
  2. don’t measure innate intelligence
  3. may not produce valid results
  4. inappropriate and poorly administered IQ tests can have tragic consequences