Answer :
Final answer:
Comparing IQ scores between 30 and 70 year olds may yield false conclusions due to biases in test design, cultural knowledge, socioeconomic factors, age-related cognitive changes, and lurking variables that are not controlled for in the test.
Explanation:
Comparing the IQ test results of a group of 30 year olds and a group of 70 year olds might lead to inaccurate conclusions because the tests could be biased, potentially reflecting cultural knowledge or socioeconomic factors rather than inherent intelligence.
Additionally, for the elderly group, age-related neurodegeneration might impact their ability to perform on these tests, as suggested by researchers who noted a degeneration of corticostriatal connections leading to slower response times and more errors.
Moreover, other research shows that environmental stressors associated with poverty can affect prefrontal brain functioning and, consequently, IQ scores.
IQ tests are also criticized for potential cultural biases because they may include questions based on knowledge more likely to be known by individuals from certain backgrounds, namely those with greater access to resources and educational opportunities.
Conflict theorists argue that IQ tests maintain power structures by favoring those with more privileged backgrounds. Lastly, the existence of lurking variables suggests that differences in performance could be influenced by educational backgrounds, societal expectations, or encouragement in certain fields.
Differences in context, cognition development, and potential biases in testing call for an evolution in how tests are crafted and utilized. Researchers like Jack A. Naglieri are working on creating tests that are more equitable and age-appropriate to avoid these discrepancies.
