The Making of Intelligence : Maps of the Mind - Ken Richardson

The Making of Intelligence

By: Ken Richardson

Hardcover | 2 August 2000 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance
New Edition

Hardcover


$251.75

or 4 interest-free payments of $62.94 with

 or 

Aims to ship in 15 to 25 business days

When will this arrive by?
Enter delivery postcode to estimate

What do we mean when we describe a person as intelligent? The concept of intelligence wields a powerful influence on research dealing with the brain and on how individuals progress in society. Yet, remarkably, there is no scientific consensus about the meaning of intelligence. In "The Making of Intelligence" Ken Richardson looks at how intelligence has been characterized and measured in the past, explores current trends in our understanding and uses of the concept, and predicts what form these trends will take in the future.

He argues that intelligence is not solely predetermined by such factors as genes and environment; it is also created by self-organizing interactions within evolved developmental systems. Considering the implications for society of this dynamic-systems approach, Richardson predicts that as our understanding of the relationship between the mind and the brain improves, the notion of intelligence as a single concept may disappear altogether.

Richardson takes particularly sharp aim at IQ tests, exposing the reductionist, oversimplified, and contradictory notions of intelligence that they presuppose as well as the social repercussions of the widespread, unreflecting acceptance of the IQ model in public consciousness.

From the writings of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer on evolution and adaptation to the reflections of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky on logical reasoning; from the formulation of early IQ tests by Francis Binet and Henri Simon to their recent, provocative rebirth in the assertions of "The Bell Curve" by Charles Murray and Richard Herrnstein, "The Making of Intelligence" is a lucid, judicious, critical analysis of this controversial and important subject.

Industry Reviews
A carefully and clearly argued whodunnit. -- David Canter New Scientist This is a lot for a 200-page book to attempt, but the author does a very good job of providing useful correctives for a number of currently popular "fads" in the cognitive sciences in a concise, readable format. Library Journal A provocative attack on most past and present theories of intelligence...Good and provocative insights. Kirkus Reviews The book's big idea is that intelligence is not, as both common sense and professional view would have it, something private inside our heads... This is a quietly passionate polemic. Financial Times (London) Intelligent... Well-argued. -- John Cornwell The Sunday Times (London) Intriguing. The Guardian

More in Biology, Life Sciences

Wattles of Victoria and Tasmania - Neville Walsh

RRP $59.99

$43.25

28%
OFF
Weeds of the South-East : An Identification Guide for Australia - F. J. Richardson
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology : 3rd Asia Pacific Edition - Gerard J. Tortora
The Physiology Coloring Book : 2nd Edition - Esmail Meisami

RRP $41.95

$36.50

13%
OFF
A Guide to Native Bees of Australia - Dr Terry Houston

RRP $49.99

$40.50

19%
OFF
Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies : For Dummies - Erin Odya

RRP $38.95

$26.35

32%
OFF
Netter's Anatomy Coloring Book : 3rd edition - John T. Hansen

RRP $37.95

$31.75

16%
OFF
Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards : 6th edition - John T. Hansen

RRP $73.95

$62.25

16%
OFF
World Without End : The #1 International Bestseller - Jean-Marc Jancovici
Gray's Anatomy for Students : 5th Edition - Richard Drake

RRP $154.95

$116.75

25%
OFF
The Anatomy Coloring Book - Wynn Kapit

RRP $31.96

$29.95

Knowledge Encyclopedia Human Body! : DK Knowledge Encyclopedia - DK
Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney - Les Robinson

RRP $59.99

$39.75

34%
OFF
Swainston's Fishes of Australia : The complete illustrated guide - Roger Swainston
First Knowledges Plants : Past, Present and Future - Zena Cumpston
The Compact Australian Bird Guide - Jeff Davies

RRP $34.99

$33.25