Current Topics in Human Intelligence, Volume 5: The Environment

"Foreword To Volume 5: This is the fifth volume in the series. Each volume has been dedicated to a specific topic concerning human intelligence. Specialists in a topic were asked to write chapters and the chapters were published. That is the usual format of an edited book. This volume is different. Volume 5 is dedicated to the environment’s effect on intelligence, one of the most contentious issues in intelligence research. Indeed, the nature—nurture issue has been one of the most debated in psychology. It seemed inappropriate to have researchers just write chapters about such a hotly contested issue. Therefore, the book is divided into three sections. As a beginning point, a few people were asked to write chapters on the environment’s contribution to intelligence. A larger number of persons were then given the original chapters and asked to write shorter papers. Authors of the shorter chapters (in Part 2 of the book) were told to write about any topic they thought important. Their chapter could be a response to a single chapter, a response to a point made in several chapters, or a brief statement on their position about the environment and intelligence. Each option was used by at least one author. A third section then contains rebuttals written by authors of the original seven chapters. Giving these authors the opportunity to address the concerns of the commentaries allows for a well—rounded forum of discussion. ...Despite the long history of unresolved conflict, 1 do think that this book brings into focus some important issues for understanding the relationship between environment and intelligence. The reason for this isn’t the book or the format—it is simply timing. Empirical data important to this controversy have recently emerged to cast new light on the issues. Those data are fully reflected in this volume..."