Differences between IQ Scores in Ethnics

Discuss several of the factors that may account for differences between the IQ scores between black and white Americans.

Intelligence is a very sensitive issue when it is discussed in the context of race. Scientists have debated on the possibility of intelligence heritability and the question as to whether racial differences could be attributed to the gap in intelligence scores. A variation in brain size as well as structure between various ethnic groups is evidenced by the extensive research carried out in the recent past. Nevertheless, like genetics, the environment has also been cited to play a key role in determining the IQ scores between different ethnic groups. The IQ scores has raised the issue of white supremacy and hence a very controversial debate among the whites and blacks particularly in the United States.

The variations in IQ scores could be explained by hereditarian model that stipulates that intelligence is percent genetic and fifty percent cultural. On the same note, genetically, intelligence is a polygenic and quantitative trait and no specific gene is linked to intelligence but it is influenced by a number of genes. Environment is however, not the only factor determining intelligence according to a research conducted on individual from different social-economic backgrounds.

Besides, evolution has also been cited as one of the factors influencing intelligence in that some races had to face pressure and struggles brought about by ice ages such that they had to device survival techniques that selected the genes for higher intelligence. This is given by the explanation that bigger and highly complex brains evolve particularly when they present a powerful selective advantage. Therefore, the early man moved from his ancestral home in Africa to areas with more geographical pressures like cold climate hence, a powerful selective need for intelligence as compared to Africa. Moreover variations in geographical locations presented different races with different struggles due to availability of food hence the determining factor of their technological as well as economic development to allow for new innovations and quest for intelligence.

Nevertheless, sociopolitical, climatic factors and natural resources availability determines socio-economic development. The quality of education between the ethnic groups could also influence their IQ scores. Racial discrimination is apparent in education since some students from a particular ethnic group are preferred to participate in intensive and more advanced education programs hence, a substantial factor in determining scholastic performance. Health and nutrition encompassing low weight births, lead exposure, decreased breastfeeding and malnutrition such as iodine and iron deficiency for also influence brain development and ultimately the level of intelligence in adulthood. These prenatal and perinatal factors are more prone to blacks and end up impairing their educability, cognitive development as well as prospect socioeconomic status. This is due to the fact that their cognitive development and function is affected largely either wholly or partially.

Stereotype threat could affect performance since individuals from an ethnic group that scores low could have a fear of confirming the already existing stereotype hence affecting the test outcome. All the same, the debate over race and intelligence continues to face controversies ranging from defining intelligence, test bias and lack of standard method of measuring IQ that are culturally sensitive. Caste-like minorities on the other hand may fail to acquire effort optimism since they feel that they are after all, ethnically disadvantaged and hence may deliberately ignore particular skills determined by IQ tests. However, lack of cultural motivation is not really a factor to be cited in explaining the IQ gaps since the outcomes are not systemic.