ABOUT ARTHUR JENSEN
Arthur Robert Jensen (1923-2012) was an American psychologist known for his work in the field of educational psychology and psychometrics. Arthur Jensen earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and completed his PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University under Percival Symonds on the thematic apperception test. He later joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on individual differences in learning, especially the influences of culture, development, and genetics on intelligence and learning.
He was a leading advocate of the hereditarian view in the nature versus nurture debate, arguing that genetics play a significant role in shaping behavioural traits like intelligence and personality.
CONTRIBUTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Arthur Jensen’s most significant contributions to psychology lie in his research on intelligence, particularly in the areas of psychometrics, the study of human intelligence, and the genetics of intelligence. His work in these areas has been both influential and controversial.
Research on Intelligence and IQ Testing
Jensen’s 1969 paper, “How Much Can We Boost IQ and Scholastic Achievement?” published in the Harvard Educational Review, is one of his most well-known works. In this paper, Jensen argued that intelligence (as measured by IQ tests) is largely heritable and that environmental factors have limited effects on intelligence after early childhood. He also suggested that there are genetic differences in intelligence between racial groups, a claim that sparked significant debate and led to widespread controversy.
Two-Level Theory of Intelligence
Jensen proposed the “two-level theory” of intelligence, which distinguished between “Level I” and “Level II” abilities. Level I or associative learning referred to rote learning and memory, while Level II or conceptual learning involved abstract reasoning and problem-solving abilities. He suggested that these two types of intelligence might be differentially distributed across populations.
Heritability of Intelligence
Jensen consistently argued that genetic factors account for a significant portion of the differences in intelligence, supporting his claims through research and studies. Despite criticism for potential racial insensitivity, Jensen believed that understanding the genetic basis of intelligence could improve educational strategies. He also contended that while associative learning (memory) is evenly distributed across races, conceptual learning (problem-solving and reasoning) is more prevalent in some races than others.
CONCLUSION
Arthur Jensen’s work in the field of psychology has left a lasting impact. His research on the heritability of intelligence and the biological bases of cognitive abilities has been both influential and controversial. While his findings sparked significant debate, they also prompted further research and discussion on the nature of intelligence and the role of genetics and environment in shaping cognitive abilities.
Blog By : DEEBHA SITHTA
