Re: The Bell Curve : Reaction time and IQ
Pete Lienemann (cnc115@cybernetics.net)
Mon, 3 Apr 1995 07:58:49 +1000
In article <D6EtBt.GoB@nntpa.cb.att.com> gupta@mrspock.mt.att.com (Arun Gupta) writes:
>From: gupta@mrspock.mt.att.com (Arun Gupta)
>Subject: The Bell Curve : Reaction time and IQ
>Date: Sun, 2 Apr 1995 13:26:17 GMT
>"Reaction time" is the time elapsing between onset of a signal light
>and a subject's lifting a finger to initiate a required response;
>"movement time" is the additional time needed to execute the response.
Both require motor skills, i.e., lifting a finger requires muscles to move.
Already, the theory is on shakey ground.
>Now, in the still newer 1993 study cited by Herrnstein and Murray,
>Jensen reports as "an apparent anomaly" that (once again !) blacks
>are slightly faster in choice reaction time than whites.
I bet I know the cause of the anomaly, not enough data. I strongly suspect
that if enough data was taken, we'd see that the difference between Black
and White would be less than the degree of confidence for the measuring
system.
Why do I think I could conduct the test using NBA players and people of
average height in the general population and "prove" that taller is smarter?
Once again we see, "Pick a conclusion then acquire/manipulate the data to
support it."
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|Pete Lienemann Jr. |It is better to ask forgiveness|
|e-mail cnc115@cybernetics.net |than to ask permission. |
|Raleigh NC | Grace Hopper, Admiral, U.S.N. |
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