64.1 – Describe how and why the genders differ in mental ability scores. Gender Differences Males and females tend to have the same average intelligence test scores, though they do differ in some specific abilities. Girls are generally better spellers, more verbally fluent, and outperform boys in math computation. Boys generally outperform girls at spatial ability and related mathematics. Boys outnumber girls at the low and high extremes of mental abilities.

64.2 – Describe how and why racial and ethnic groups differ in mental ability scores. Ethnic Similarities and Differences Two disturbing but agreed upon facts fuel the group-difference debate: 1) Racial groups differ in their average intelligence scores. 2) High-scoring people (and groups) are more likely to attain high levels of education and income.  

64.2 – Describe how and why racial and ethnic groups differ in mental ability scores.  Racial Similarities and Differences races are remarkably alike genetically. race is a social category. today’s better prepared populations would outperform populations of the 1930s on intelligence tests. white and black infants tend to score equally well on tests predicting future intelligence. different ethnic groups have experienced periods of remarkable achievement in different eras. schools and culture matter.

64.3 – Discuss whether intelligence tests are inappropriately biased. Bias in Intelligence Tests aptitude tests are biased in the sense that they are sensitive to performance differences caused by cultural experiences. intelligence tests do, however, predict future behavior, so psychologists overwhelmingly agree that these aptitude test are not biased. Test-Takers Expectations a stereotype threat is a self-conforming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype. this phenomenon appears in some instances in intelligence testing among African-Americans.