Data are presented from families of monozygotic twin pairs which give evidence of genetic variance on the Block Design Test, a nonverbal measure of intelligence. Analyses of genetic and environmental effects on behavior are possible with this kind of information. (SA)

Taylor (1980) claims to show that the similarity in IQ between monozygotic twins reared apart found in prior studies is due to similarity in their environments. A reanalysis using Taylor's classification of environments but an alternative IQ measure shows that his findings do not constructively replicate. (Author/RD)

"The Bell Curve" declares that studies of separated identical twins--the "purest" of "direct" methods for estimating IQ heritability--indicate a value of +.75-+.80. But, the main study cited suggests a heritability of "two-thirds" for the middle class, and Herrnstein and Murray neglect to mention numerous…

This paper presents the results of a study which examined heritability ratios for the major ethnic and socioeconomic groups in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Scores on three measures (the Cooperative Primary Reading Test, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, and a composite set of intelligence tests) were compared for twins from…

A classification of natal influences is proposed with a model of their operation. Natal influences affect maternal capacity, maternal load, and maternal efficiency. Since maternal load is increased in twin pregnancy, results of twin studies must be generalized with caution. The method of co-twin control is exemplified by examination of a small…

Ronald C. Johnson argued that if early environmental stimulation or deprivation has a significant effect on intellectual ability, then individuals who are genetically identical and who are exposed to a common early environment should resemble one another more closely in IQ than similar individuals who have not shared a common environment. Johnson…

Critically examines the portions of Arthur Jensen's books that concern Barbara Burks' 1928 study of adoptive families. Findings are that Burks' sample was highly selective, that her environmental measures were limited, and that Jensen has misrepresented the content and implications of her study. It is also shown that Jensen's estimates of…

Genetic effects on specific cognitive abilities as distinct from those on general cognitive ability were studied in 302 pairs of twins (some reared together, some apart) from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Overall, results showed significant genetic influence on specific abilities independent of influence on general ability. (SLD)

One hundred eighty one sets of black twins and 223 sets of white twins provided responses to four 12-item subtests of the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test, Standard Version. The children were in elementary school and their item response patterns were analyzed with the use of revised ordering-theoretic methods to search for best-fitting…

A study of twins was conducted to determine the presence of an hereditary component in short term memory and in three aspects of verbal divergent thinking--flexibility, fluency, and originality. Results showed the existence of a significant genetic component in the trait of short term memory, while none was found in verbal divergent thinking. (AG)

Word recognition data from identical and fraternal twins and siblings (N=172) indicated that the phonological coding deficit of children with reading disabilities was highly heritable. Orthographic coding was not significantly heritable. Poor readers with low IQs were superior to similar reading but average IQ readers in phonological coding.…

Extensive data on twins, nontwin siblings, siblings separated by adoption, and parent-child similarity indicate that the heritability of intelligence is closer to .50 than to .70. Differences could be due to environmental or genetic changes in the population, or to methodology. (Author/CP)

This study of 640 twins with reading disability and 436 controls (mean age 12) examined external validity of the distinction between specific reading retardation and reading backwardness, in 3 domains: genetic etiology, sex ratio and clinical correlates, and neuropsychological profiles. There was no evidence of differential genetic etiology of the…

This book is organized in nine parts, as follows. Part I, "Preface," includes an account of how the author went from the rather esoteric research on theoretical problems in serial rote learning to research on the inheritance of mental abilities and its implications for education. Part II, "How Much Can We Boost IQ and Scholastic Achievement?," is…