num_pages: 352
description: Can human intelligence be measured? From 19th-century craniometry (literally, the measurement of skulls) to today's vastly sophisticated methods of IQ testing, the author traces the history of scientists' attempts to assess human intelligence. Along the way he tackles the fundamental problems - the very idea of measurement seems reductive, suggesting that biology is destiny - morever as he vividly demonstrates, scientists' theories have too often been dangerous reflections of their own personal motives and racial/class/sexual prejudices. This book examines the fatal flaws in intelligence testing and reaffirms the richness and variety of human potential. This book won the National Book Critics' Circle Award for 1982.
language: English
title: The Mismeasure of Man
titlecomplete: The Mismeasure of Man
genres: Philosophy, Science, Nonfiction, Psychology, History, Biology, Evolution, Sociology, Anthropology, Politics
ratings_count: 8787
awards: awardedAt: 347184000000
name: National Book Critics Circle Award
category: General Nonfiction, awardedAt: 378720000000
name: National Book Award Finalist
category: Science (Hardcover)
publisher: Penguin Books