Ethnic group differences in intelligence test performance are:

Ethnic group differences in intelligence test performance are:

• A. Not present
• B. Present and explained by language differences alone
• C. Present and explained by heredity alone
• D. Present and not explained by any single factor

Answer: (D)

Differences in ethnic group performance on intelligence tests do occur, but they cannot be traced to a single cause. The best view is that several interacting factors shape test results, and no one factor fully explains the gaps. Language differences may play a role for some items, but they don’t account for all the variation. Genetics cannot be taken as the sole explanation either, since intelligence is influenced by a complex mix of environmental factors (socioeconomic status, access to quality education, test familiarity, cultural relevance of content, prenatal and early childhood experiences, and stereotype threat). Taken together, these multiple influences create differences that are real yet not attributable to any single cause.

Differences in ethnic group performance on intelligence tests do occur, but they cannot be traced to a single cause. The best view is that several interacting factors shape test results, and no one factor fully explains the gaps. Language differences may play a role for some items, but they don’t account for all the variation. Genetics cannot be taken as the sole explanation either, since intelligence is influenced by a complex mix of environmental factors (socioeconomic status, access to quality education, test familiarity, cultural relevance of content, prenatal and early childhood experiences, and stereotype threat). Taken together, these multiple influences create differences that are real yet not attributable to any single cause.