Final answer:
Dr. J.P. Rushton, collaborating with A.R. Jensen, studied factors impacting intelligence, such as genetics and race, suggesting intelligence levels may be racially determined. Their research sparked significant debate due to the implications and alleged racial biases of their conclusions. It's critical to note IQ tests are influenced not just by genetics, but also by socio-economic and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. J.P. Rushton, alongside A.R. Jensen, is known for his research into the genetics of intelligence. During their controversial studies, Rushton focused on several factors that he believed influenced intelligence, including race and cognitive ability. The findings reported in Rushton and Jensen (2005) discussed three decades' worth of research on racial differences in cognitive ability, implying that intelligence levels might be determined by racial factors, which caused substantial debate and controversy.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that many researchers have highlighted that performance on IQ tests can be strongly influenced by socio-economic status and environmental factors. These indicate that children who experience poverty may have reduced prefrontal brain functions, which can affect IQ scores. Rushton's work, therefore, falls into the broader discourse around the origins and measurement of intelligence and the fairness, and implications of these measures on society.