Why Galton’s Approach to Intelligence Is Flawed: Debunking Assumptions About Inheritance and Normal Distribution

Imagine you are asked to write a brief essay on the flaws in Galton’s approach to intelligence. Which of the following would be a justifiable argument?a) Although many biological features are normally distributed, it is poor logic to assume that normally distributed traits are necessarily biologically innate.b) There is no data whatsoever to suggest that there is a biological component to intelligence.c) There are flaws with a normally distributed curve.d) None of the traits Galton studied would create a normal distribution today.

a)

Option A would be a justifiable argument for flaws in Galton’s approach to intelligence. Galton’s assumption that intelligence was solely inherited and biologically determined led him to use statistical analysis based on the normal distribution curve to prove his theory. However, the assumption that normally distributed traits are necessarily innate is flawed logic. Many factors other than genetics can contribute to the distribution of traits, such as environmental factors, cultural influences, education, and individual experiences. Therefore, it is not accurate to attribute intelligence solely to genetic inheritance, and any analysis based on such assumptions is flawed.

Option B is not a justifiable argument because there is ample data to suggest there is a biological component to intelligence. Research has shown that brain structure and function, neurotransmitter levels, and genetics can all play a role in intelligence.

Option C is not a justifiable argument because there are no inherent flaws with a normally distributed curve. Normal distribution is a statistical concept that describes many natural phenomena in the physical and social sciences, including the distribution of intelligence scores.

Option D is not a justifiable argument because the fact that the traits Galton studied may not create a normal distribution today does not negate the validity of statistical analysis based on normal distribution. The properties of normal distribution have been proven to exist in many phenomena, including intelligence.

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