A chemistry professor emeritus explains the misguided association between gout and genius. Gout, a genetic disease arising from overproduction of uric acid, was prevalent in many historical, upper-class male figures. Gout is equally prevalent in poor rural blacks. Since both populations probably suffered from ingesting lead-poisoned alcoholic…

Social science today condones and perpetuates the egalitarian fiction that racial and ethnic groups never differ in average developed intelligence (general mental ability). Enforcement of this lie and avoidance of real research into these issues is aiding bigots more than the truth would and is degrading intellectual integrity. (SLD)

Describes the "Knowledge Board," a comprehensive integrated writing environment for professionals who write complex documents. Program functions, including navigational capabilities, an automated note card file, information sorting, information weaving, a function to organize information logically, and a revision function are examined.…

Presents background information that describes the major components of an embedded performance support system, compares levels of functionality, and discusses some of the required technologies. Highlights include the human-computer interface; online help; advisors; training and tutoring; hypermedia; and artificial intelligence techniques. (LRW)

Considers empirical evidence and theoretical issues that point out the need to reconceptualize individual differences in psychology. Studies use of arithmetic in everyday life and in the classrooms to explore consequences of cultural practices, the nature of individual differences in "ability," and links between practices and identity.…

Cranial capacities are calculated from external head measurements reported for 40 samples (tens of thousands of subjects) from a 1990 review of ergonomically important body measurements compiled by the International Labour Office. The correlation between brain size and intelligence for groups and individuals is discussed. (SLD)

Protocols (n=149) of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised that were completed by 22 graduate students were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of practice administrations in developing examiner competence. Even completing 10 administrations did not reduce errors students made, suggesting that careful training is required. (SLD)

Despite its failings, Herrnstein and Murray's "The Bell Curve" is valuable for emphasizing cognition as significantly affecting human performance and social achievement; acknowledging human differences; and offering a frightening depiction of contemporary American society. The authors err in reducing intelligence to a stable, immutable…

The clinical utility of the cluster solution of core profiles of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised by McDermott and others (1989) was studied with 161 brain-damaged patients. Core profile methodology was not sensitive to brain damage and lacked neurodiagnostic utility. (SLD)

Tests of rapid serial naming, reading, spelling, general intelligence, articulation speed, and word fluency were administered to nine children with reading disabilities and rapid serial naming difficulties. Follow up 9 years later showed that difficulties in rapid naming, reading, and spelling persisted. The development of naming speed is…

To assess changes in processing speed in the second and third years of life, 2 sequential visual events were shown to 22-, 27-, and 32-month-old children, 12 at each age. Response clusters indicated that speed of processing increased with age and that a proactive inhibition declined with age. (SLD)

The joint factor structure of the Differential Abilities Scale (DAS) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was investigated with 115 normal children (ages 8-15). Analysis supported the DAS structure and the WISC-III four-factor reinterpretation of the WISC-R. (Author/DB)

Examination of 42 cases of children with Tourette Syndrome with intelligence quotients (IQs) above 70 found that mean IQs were higher than mean math, spelling, reading, and reading comprehension scores. Using a 1.5 standard deviation discrepancy, 51 percent met criteria for learning disability in at least one academic area; 21 percent had a…

Argues that student who invested 12 years working hard, studying, and obeying teachers deserves diploma even though diploma's value may be suspect. In some states, like Alabama, value of 12-year investment can be reduced to zero by single multiple-choice test score. Schools must treat all students fairly by considering multiple intelligences and…

Examined scatter analysis and Kaufman regroupings of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised scores. Findings from 31 non-learning-disabled children and 29 learning-disabled children revealed significant difference in Verbal and Performance intelligence quotients between learning-disabled and nondisabled children, with significantly more…