Race and IQ: Nature vs Nurture - Assignment Example

The debate of nature-versus-nurture will perhaps never end as any answers raised on this issue are bound to be controversial and raise more questions. Additionally, there is also the danger any findings either way will be used for other ulterior motives which can be an incendiary issue that can inflame any discussions on the possible links between race, gender, and intelligence. There is always the possibility that bias, prejudice, hatred, and discrimination will be enhanced through erroneous interpretations of data gathered regarding this sensitive issue. But on the other hand, it is for the benefit of science if this issue is studied dispassionately also. This paper takes a look at both sides of the issue through articles that discuss either side.

 An article by Frances K. Trotman published in 1977 in the Journal of Educational Psychology entitled “Race, IQ, and the Middle Class” found out that there was an intellectual home environment difference between the households of black and white middle-class families, in particular with regards to possible relationship or link between intellectual home environments and the academic achievements of ninth-grade girl students belonging to black or white families. This study looked at how socioeconomic factors affected the quality of this intellectual home environment in each student's family although the study was not very conclusive because it failed to separate the confounding variables that might affect results (Trotman, 1977, p. 268).

However, the more significant aspect of this study is not its results but rather the daring proposition of how race and intelligence can be intertwined and linked by socioeconomic factors thereby fueling the debate about how intellectual levels or intelligence quotients (IQ) can be a bit related to the particular race or ethnicity of each student because of socioeconomic backgrounds. This opens the possibility of other variables directly affecting intelligence itself, such as race.

One such possibility is that race affects the intelligence level of a given group of people. This is because the natural order of things, all things else being equal, is that there will be more or less differences in natural processes over long periods in the evolutionary history of the human race or species. Put in other words, this seems indeed a very logical observation or conclusion because this follows the Darwinian principle of natural selection and survival. People can differ due to geography, genetics, or other factor which in turn affects intelligence. There is some basis to assume biology can somehow affect intelligence or IQ (Hayman, 1997, p. 99).

Whether there are biologically-based differences in the intelligence levels of people is the task of science to determine, In this regard, some scientists and academicians suggested it is a good idea to pursue it further just to settle the issue conclusively and with finality. This is in essence the very stance of Stephen Ceci and Wendy M. Williams, for science to pursue the truth regardless of the consequences, political or otherwise (Ceci & Williams, 2009, p. 788).

The issue can only be settled with the help of science and cold facts; any other factors to distract from the issue such as the politics of hatred, ostracism, and condemnation will only tend to cloud this controversial and sensitive issue without benefit to anybody in particular. Scientific inquiry and debate should be encouraged without harming the careers of some people.

On the other side, Steven Rose argues such studies linking race and intelligence serve no purpose at all and might even be harmful to society because they tend to be used further to enhance or systematize any existing prejudice and biases against a certain race or ethnic group (Rose, 2009, p. 786) as it will only encourage racial discrimination, similar to what Darwin had believed as morally wrong; the danger is it might be used to justify slavery (Rose, 2009, p.297). Opponents of race linked to intelligence have a stronger position as there are no inherent differences.