Bias in IQ tests
Definition
This refers to the criticism that IQ tests may unfairly favor certain groups over others due to cultural, socioeconomic, or other factors not related to actual intelligence.
Analogy
Imagine you're a great swimmer, but you've only ever swam in a pool. Now imagine being asked to compete in an ocean swimming race. The skills are similar, but the environment is different and unfamiliar. You might not perform as well because of this unfamiliarity - not because you're a bad swimmer. That's like bias in IQ tests; they might measure certain types of intelligence well (like swimming in a pool), but fail to capture others (like swimming in the ocean).
Related terms
Cultural Bias: This refers to the tendency for IQ tests to reflect the culture of those who designed them, potentially disadvantaging those from different cultures.
Socioeconomic Bias: This is when test results are influenced by social class and economic status rather than just cognitive abilities.
Test Validity: Refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure. If an IQ test is biased, its validity could be questioned.
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