Thursday, November 12, 2015

Race- or demographically-adjusted IQ norms are inappropriate in Atkins ID death penalty cases: New law review article by Robert Sanger



Previously, I coauthored an IAP Psychometric Brief (#14) with Dr. Dale Watson on the inappropriate use of "demographically adjusted norms" (aka, the Heaton norms) to adjust IQ scores upward based on an individuals race.  I was pleased last week to see a law review article devoted to this practice--an article that also concludes that the use of "ethnic" or "race" or "demographically" adjusted norms are inconsistent with scientific and legal principles.

The excellent American University Law Review article (IQ, INTELLIGENCE TESTS, “ETHNIC ADJUSTMENTS” AND ATKINS) is by Robert Sanger (click here to view).