Question

dr. harold newsome is interested in how iq scores are affected by stress. he feels that iq tests, which are widely used in public schools, give misleadingly low scores to kids under stress.

Answer 1

Dr. Harold Newsome is examining the impact of stress on IQ scores in public schools, addressing the confounding factors such as socioeconomic and cultural biases that might affect the results. Controversy exists about the bias inherent in IQ tests, with some asserting they favor certain cultural knowledge. Despite this, the importance of IQ testing for identifying learning and behavioral challenges in educational and clinical settings remains pertinent.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Harold Newsome is interested in exploring how IQ scores are impacted by stress, particularly in the context of public schools where these tests often yield misleadingly low scores for kids under duress. This issue is rooted in the complex relationship between intelligence, stress, and the conditions of testing. The confounding nature of human social structures significantly influences the measurement of intelligence, where factors such as socioeconomic status and ethnicity play substantial roles.

Research by Mark Kishiyama and colleagues shows that children living in poverty exhibit reduced prefrontal brain functioning, akin to those with damage to the lateral prefrontal cortex. This finding suggests that stress from poverty can adversely affect brain development and functioning, which may reflect in lowered IQ scores. Conflict theorists argue that IQ tests are biased since they may test for cultural knowledge, which is not equitably distributed across different socioeconomic backgrounds, potentially conferring advantages to more affluent individuals.

Jensen's controversial research and the Larry P. v. Riles case further underscore the problematic history of IQ testing and its implications for certain ethnic groups being mislabeled based on culturally biased assessments. When understanding IQ testing and its purposes, it is also crucial to consider its limitations and the controversies that it invokes, including its misuse in historical contexts like the eugenics movement.

Why Measure Intelligence?

Despite the controversies, the value of IQ testing is clear in educational and clinical settings. It helps identify children and adults who may require special assistance due to learning difficulties or behavioral problems. Such testing can provide critical insights that aid in offering the necessary support to those in need.

Answer 2

In his investigation into how stress affects IQ scores, Dr. Harold Newsome raises the possibility that youngsters who are under stress may receive falsely low scores on popular tests.

Dr. Harold Newsome's research delves into the impact of stress on IQ scores, particularly in the context of widely used tests within public schools.

He posits that the current testing environment may lead to misleadingly low scores for children experiencing stress.

Standard IQ tests, often administered in public schools, are designed to measure cognitive abilities and potential.

However, these tests may not account adequately for the influence of stress on a child's performance.

Dr. Newsome believes that stress can significantly affect the outcome of IQ assessments, resulting in scores that may not accurately reflect a child's true intellectual capabilities.

Stress can manifest in various forms, such as test anxiety, external pressures, or environmental factors.

These stressors may create a cognitive burden that hinders a child's ability to perform optimally on IQ tests.

Dr. Newsome emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of how stress interacts with cognitive assessments, urging educators and policymakers to consider alternative approaches or adjustments to testing conditions.

By shedding light on the potential impact of stress on IQ scores, Dr. Newsome's work advocates for a more comprehensive evaluation of a child's abilities, recognizing the influence of environmental and emotional factors in the assessment process.