9.2 The Social, Cultural, and Political Aspects of Intelligence

Question 1

normal distribution (or bell curve)

Answer 1

• the pattern of scores usually observed in a variable that clusters around its average

Question 2

mental retardation

Answer 2

• a generalized disorder ascribed to people who have an IQ below 70, who have experienced deficits since childhood, and who have trouble with basic life skills, such as dressing and feeding oneself and communicating with others

Question 3

down syndrome

Answer 3

• a chromosomal disorder leading to mental retardation caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome

Question 4

eugenics

Answer 4

• the proposal that one could improve the human species by encouraging or permitting reproduction of only those people with genetic characteristics judged desirable

Question 5

stereotype threat

Answer 5

• performance decrements that are caused by the knowledge of cultural stereotypes