The Intelligence War Debate
To be resolved:
Do humans have an inborn general mental capacity (intelligence) that can be
quantified as a meaningful number?
Teams:
The Affirmative (Right side of the classroom, near the windows) will argue that
humans do indeed have an inborn general mental capacity (intelligence) and it can
be quantified as a meaningful number.
The Negative (left side of the classroom, near the door) will argue against the
existence and quantification of an inborn ‘g’ (general intelligence) and for another
view/measurement of intelligence.
Within the context of the debate your team must:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the various theories of intelligence
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the various intelligence tests
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of reliability and validity in test create and
administration
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the nature vs. nurture debate and how it
relates to intelligence
- Cite your sources by telling the author and date of the material
The alternate assessment for intelligence will be a 1-2 page reflection paper, which
must include answers the following questions:
- What did you contribute to the research process and argument formation?
- What did you contribute during the debate?
- Which side do you feel won the debate and why? (Keep in mind, you are not
being graded on whether your side won, rather on your interaction with the
material.)
- What did you learn about the Intelligence War from doing this debate?
- Please attach your reference page, in APA format, documenting the sources
you used. You are expected to have at least 2 sources (these can be journals
and/or articles and the textbook.) There should be at least one outside source.
Debate Flow
1. Affirmative Opening
a. The affirmative side states why its view of intelligence is correct and
clearly articulates why this is correct
2. Cross Examination of the Affirmative
a. The Negative asks questions of the affirmative to a.) Understand the main
argument of the affirmative and b.) Begin to punch wholes in said
argument.
b. The Negative can only ask questions, the affirmative can only answer
questions
3. Negative Opening
a. See affirmative opening
4. Cross Examination of the Affirmative
a. See Cross examination of the Affirmative
5. Open Debate
6. Negative Closing
a. The Negative side summarizes why it won the debate based on the
arguments presented in the debate
7. Affirmative Closing
a. See the negative closing.
Starting Resources:
GREAT REPORT IF YOU ARE ARGUING ABOUT RACE/CULTURE
BIAS OR AGAINST THIS. (There is evidence and criticism for both sides
in this one)
http://www.intelltheory.com/bellcurve.shtml
GREAT GENERAL JUMPING OFF POINT
http://www.intelltheory.com/hotTopics.shtml
Intelligence testing across cultures
http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb03/intelligence.aspx
The birth of Intelligence testing
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/01/assessment.aspx