The study of African ability
Part II A survey of some research problems
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2138232 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Biesheuvel, S Biesheuvel (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1952 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 105-117 |
| Publication date | 1952-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-0184 • E-ISSN: 1469-2872 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/00020185208706876 |
| OpenAlex | W2110300754 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 15 |
| References cited | 7 |
SYNOPSIS The paper reviews the state of African society and shows that it provides a natural laboratory for students of the social sciences. Of overriding importance is the study of the constitutional ability‐endowment of ‐African peoples, for this will prove a limiting factor to the kind of society that can be maintained on the African continent. The recent UNESCO declaration which recognizes the existence of ethnic groups that differ genetically, outruns the psychological evidence by claiming that these differences are limited to the physical and physiological domain. There is evidence that environmental factors greatly influence intellectual development, both quantitatively and qualitatively. But it has not been proved that all differences vanish when environment is held constant. The many factors known to influence the development of intelligence are reviewed, and it is concluded that neither in Africa nor in America can environmental influences be equated without comparing unrepresentative samples. A South African control experiment is described which illustrates these difficulties. Equality in some tests (Porteus Maze, Passalong, Reasoning) could be attributed to unrepresentative sampling. Inequality in others (tests of spatial relations like Kohs Blocks, Cube Construction) could be due to specific cultural circumstances which remained uncontrolled. A design for another experiment is outlined which would study the range of gains and changes that could be brought about by manipulating African living conditions. It has been shown, for American communities, that extreme environmental conditions may influence the I.Q. by ± 20 points. A check on African populations would be useful; but this line of study would leave the question of qualitative differences unanswered
African studies · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Context (archaeology · Declaration · Development economics · Developmental psychology · Endowment · Ethnic group · Geography · Mental process · Nature versus nurture · Perception · Political science · Sociology · Anthropology · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Education and Technology Integration · Gender Studies · History · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology
Adapting Tests To the Cultural Setting
Assessment of abstract behavior in a non-Western culture
Verbal and Nonverbal Abilities in English First and Second Language Children
Cross-Cultural Psychology
The Development of Nations
Educational literature in South Africa since 1945
Ability factors and environmental influences
The Person and the Life Cycle in African Social Life and Thought
Pictorial Depth Perception and Acculturation Among the Baganda1
Shape Constancy as Influenced by Culture, Western Education, and Agel
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,21 |
| Citation span | 1956 - 1986 (31) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 15 |