The g Factor: The Science of Mental Ability (Human Evolution, Behavior, and Intelligence)

Americans continue to spend good money after bad to support the religious-like dogma of education egalitarianism. The g Factor is another reference point of sound research about general intelligence, its correlations/ causations, and reliability. The public school system continues a cult-like mantra that all children can learn, but never acknowledge that an individual's learning is dependent on heritable factors out of the system's control. As Jensen notes, all people can learn; but at different levels which is best predicted by g. Ignoring research, public schools force students to take advanced courses; such as, algebra, trigonometry, chemistry and physics whereby most students can pass only by weakening the passing standard. President Obama announced this week in his State of the Union Speech that he expects more students to go to college. His ambitious proposal does not coincide with the reality that the ability to understand advanced concepts is not something that everyone can do. What psychometric tests do is to clear the lens of reality so that students can be directed into areas where there is a greater likelihood for them to complete training and thus be successful. Other attributes like motivation need to be factored into the equation and Jensen speaks to these- not to make it sound as though g is all encompassing.After reading this book, you will understand why the egalitarians will never be satisfied with public education since their goals are not based upon reality.

A great book on IQ and more spesifically the g factor itself. Recommended for anyone with an interest in IQ research, as the book covers pretty much anything related to IQ. Potential buyers should note that The g Factor is not a pop science book, so if you are looking for an easily read introduction on the topic, this book is probably not for you. (You should also know a little bit of statistics in order to fully appreciate the chapter on factor analysis, i.e. what a correlation coefficient means and how it is computed)

Jensen's treatise on defining what intelligence is must be his best. If you can get past chapter 4 with a thorough understanding of the method of correlated vectors, you're well on your way to finally grasping what the contemporary understanding of what "g" is. You come out of this book accepting that "g" could very well be the best proxy for intelligence.

Wonderful timing, quick and professional. I highly recommend anyone this seller. No complaints. Very quick and diligent. I ordered these for my classes and it all worked out for the best. Thank YOu

Book indistinguishable from new, arrived in a few days. Great service. Highly recommend

In a brilliant 40-year career that has earned him a place among the most frequently cited figures in contemporary psychology, Arthur Jensen has systematically researched and extended Charles Spearman's (1927) seminal concept of g, the general factor of intelligence. The g Factor is an awesome and monumental exposition of the case for the reality of g. It does not draw back from its most controversial conclusions -- that the average differences in IQ found between Blacks and Whites has a substantial hereditary component, and that this difference has important societal consequences. However, The g Factor is not about race, as such. The first five chapters deal with the intellectual history of the discovery of g and various models of how to conceptualize intelligence. Other chapters deal with the biological correlates of g (excluding race), its heritability, and its practical predictive power. The fact that psychometric g has many physical correlates proves that it is not just a methodological artifact. Among biological variables, g loads on heritability coefficients determined from twin studies and inbreeding depression scores calculated in children born from cousin-marriages. g is also related to brain size measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), brain evoked potentials, and intracellular brain pH levels. It (g) is a product of human evolution and is also found in non-human animals. Despite these caveats, The Bell Curve affair allows one to safely predict that The g Factor's coverage of race will strike many as of central importance. All the issues Jensen raised in 1969 are still with us today. Indeed, much of the opposition to IQ testing and heritability would probably disappear if it were not for the stubborn and unwelcome fact that, despite extensive well funded programs of intervention, the Black-White difference refuses to go quietly into the night. Chapter 11 of The g Factor fully documents that, on average, the American Black population scores below the White population by about 1.2 standard deviations, equivalent to 18 IQ points. (This magnitude of difference gives a median overlap of less than 15 percent, meaning that less than 15 percent of the Black population exceeds the White average of 50 percent). The difference between Blacks and Whites in average IQ scores has scarcely changed over the past 80 years (despite some claims that the gap is narrowing) and can be observed as early as three years of age. Controlling for overall socioeconomic level only reduces the mean difference by 4 IQ points. Chapter 12 presents Jensen's technical arguments for why he believes that race differences are about 50 percent heritable. He emphasizes the fact that it is precisely those components of intelligence tests that are most heritable and that most relate to brain size which most profoundly differentiate Blacks from Whites.

Il y a déjà d'excellentes recensions ici, donc je ne vais pas me fatiguer, juste écrire que ce livre est une somme sur l'intelligence par un auteur certainement qualifié pour en parler. Jensen borde tous les points essentiels pour comprendre "l'intelligence psychométrique" : la découverte du facteur général, héritabilité de g, les corrélats biologiques et sociaux, l'usage pratique de g, etc. L'intelligence psychométrique est la branche la plus solide de la psychologie, mais c'est aussi la plus attaquée et discutée. Le livre suivant donne des arguments solides dans la discussion.