Views IQ test scores as measures of general intelligence that relate to the acquisition of knowledge in diverse settings. Discusses studies that support the assertion that IQ has an influence on a socially relevant outcome variable that is independent of its relationship to social status. (MMU)

Genetic and environmental influences on academic achievement were studied for 314 pairs of white full siblings and 53 pairs of half siblings and 161 pairs of black full siblings and 106 half-sibling pairs (National Longitudinal Survey of Youth). Results support a common heritage view of the growth of academic knowledge. (SLD)

Offers a brief overview of Murray and Herrnstein's "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." Discusses briefly the controversy surrounding the book and about research in the area of intelligence. Gives a background of solicited commentaries. (Author/JDM)

Two studies of twin, sibling, and cousin pairs among children attempted to extend a model, called DF analysis, which separates hereditary and shared environmental influences. First study supported the validity of DF analysis applied to kinship height and weight data. The second study showed that spanking, reading, and quality of home environment…

An adaptation of the multiple regression approach of De Fries and Fulker (DF analysis) is used to account simultaneously for genetic and environmental influences on achievement. The model was fitted to achievement measures of 1,044 related pairs of children from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (NLSY). (SLD)

The strongest recent statement that inequality in America is the natural result of a free market came in "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life" by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray. These authors argued that intelligence determines how well people do in life, and the rich are rich largely because they are…