Development scientists identified optimal enviro

development scientists identified optimal enviro influences
Critics may argue poor adults deserve fate bc lazy/irresponsible but not very convincing when
applied to young children
American Head Start program, adapted idea to focus on goals + cultures of Aboriginal
Canadians. Foster edu along w +ve self identity + empowerment
Collectivity interdependence of members of community much more important aspect of life for
Aboriginal cultures than for mainstream Canadian culture
AHS + AHSOR engage + involve indigenous cultures to promote +ve growth in children
Massive intervention over many years expensive + econ consequences of poverty,
unemployment + by products. Long term: programs more than pay for themselves in
form of increased earning + tax revenues for participating children + lowered costs
associated w criminal justice system
AHS should help to break cycle of school failure + low edu achievement; show intelligence
fostered by stimulating + responsive enviro
Impact of Ethnicity + Socioeconomic status
Ethnic groups differ in average scores in IQ tests not due to genes/familiarity w specific test
items, but to children's familiarity + comfort w testing situation. IQ scores remained valid

predictors of school success because middle class experience is often prerequisite for
school success.
Researchers now argue concept of race redundant
No evidence some ethnic groups have more 'smart genes' than others. Believe enviro largely
responsible for diffs
Critics contend diffs in test scores reflect bias in tests themselves. Test items reflect cultural
heritage of test creators, most econ advanced European Canadians so tests biased
against econ disadvantaged children from other groups
Specific questions can influence scores on test
Problem of bias led to development of culture-fair intelligence tests, include test items based on
experiences common to many cultures
Group diffs remained in performance on so called culture fair intelligence tests
Combat effect of stereotype threat by giving people +ve exs
Should interpret test scores w caution + remember many ways of conceptualizing intelligence +
many influences at work in development
Americans remember more from early years + detail than Asians bc elaboration less common
Experiences can be stored in memory exactly (verbatim, kids)/basic meaning (gist, adult)
● Knowledge can also distort memory if experience differs from a script
○ According to the fuzzy trace theory , developed by Brainerd & Reyna (2004,
2005), most experiences can be stored in memory exactly (verbatim) or in terms
of their basic meaning (gist)
■ False memories were less common in young children than in older
children & adolescents