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The Prospect of Plasticity

Malleability Views of Group Differences and their Implications for Intellectual Achievement, Mental/Behavioral Health, and Public Policy

Bibliographic Data

ID12908147
AuthorsAndres G Martinez (University of California, Berkeley), Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton (0000-0002-7965-7309, University of California, Berkeley, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume5
Issue1
Pages137-159
Publication date2011-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Issues and Policy Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1751-2395 • E-ISSN: 1751-2409
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1751-2409.2011.01028.x
OpenAlexW1924410627
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited74

This article critically examines the psychological and policy implications of the belief that characteristics of social groups are grounded in biology and thus are unchangeable. We specifically focus on how this immutability mind‐set may perpetuate group‐based educational achievement gaps and deter treatment seeking for mental/behavioral health conditions. We then consider the prospect of plasticity: the notion that psychological attributes, although rooted in our biological endowment, are inherently malleable. Our discussion reviews the evidence for—and social implications of—this alternative mind‐set for intellectual achievement as well as mental/behavioral health. We conclude by describing several concrete policy applications of a plasticity perspective

Developmental psychology · Endowment · Immutability · Malleability · Mental health · Perspective (graphical · Political science · Psychotherapist · Set (abstract data type · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Computer Science · Early Childhood Education and Development · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works3
Citations per year0,25
Citation span2014 - 2015 (2)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 3
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