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.

The Making of Intelligence

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Richardson, Ken

Psychology & Counseling

Columbia University Press

For countless generations people have been told that their potential as humans is limited and fundamentally unequal. The social order, they have been assured, is arranged by powers beyond their control. More recently the appeal has been to biology, specifically the genes, brain sciences, the concept of intelligence, and powerful new technologies. Reinforced through the authority of science and a growing belief in bio-determinism, the ordering of the many for the benefit of a few has become more entrenched. Yet scientists are now waking up to the influence of ideology on research and its interpretation. In Genes, Brains, and Human Potential, Ken Richardson illustrates how the ideology of human intelligence has infiltrated genetics, brain sciences, and psychology, flourishing in the vagueness of basic concepts, a shallow nature-versus-nurture debate, and the overhyped claims of reductionists. He shows how ideology, more than pure science, has come to dominate our institutions, especially education, encouraging fatalism about the development of human intelligence among individuals and societies. Genes, Brains, and Human Potential goes much further: building on work being done in molecular biology, epigenetics, dynamical systems, evolution theory, and complexity theory, it maps a fresh understanding of intelligence and the development of human potential. Concluding with an upbeat message for human possibilities, this synthesis of diverse perspectives will engender new conversations among students, researchers, and other interested readers.

Genes, Brains, and Human Potential: The Science and Ideology of Intelligence

This book explores the assumptions and preconceptions underlying common statements and theories of intelligence and examines how these arise out of different social contexts in which different ideas about intelligence wax and wane. It contrasts popular and informal conceptions of intelligence with the demands of rigorous scientific theory and tackles intelligence as an area of psychological theory, research and practical application. The text considers the historical origins of the term intelligence , IQ testing, information processing, developmental and social cognition models of intelligence and the nature versus nurture debate. This critical review of intelligence aims to help students develop a detached stance on the subject and so escape reliance on the kind of cliches that engender constant controversy.

Understanding Intelligence

Open Univ Pr

Understanding psychology

Understanding Psychology

Models Of Cognitive Development (Psychology Press & Routledge Classic Editions)

In spite of its obvious importance and popularity, the field of cognitive development remains highly fragmented due to the vast diversity of models of what knowledge and reasoning are, and how they develop. This new Classic Edition of Models of Cognitive Development aims to overcome this barrier through its careful introduction, illustrated examples, and approach to helping students think more critically about the subject. In this significant work, Richardson provides students, researchers, and comparative theoreticians with a cohesive understanding of the area by organizing diverse schools, frameworks, and approaches according to a much smaller set of underlying assumptions or preconceptions, which themselves can be historically interrelated. By understanding these, it’s possible to find pathways around the area more confidently as a whole, to see the “wood” as well as the theoretical trees, and be able to react to individual models more critically and constructively. The Classic Edition of this core text will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students of cognitive development.

Psychology Press

In spite of its obvious importance and popularity, the field of cognitive development remains highly fragmented due to the vast diversity of models of what knowledge and reasoning are, and how they develop. This new Classic Edition of Models of Cognitive Development aims to overcome this barrier through its careful introduction, illustrated examples, and approach to helping students think more critically about the subject. 
In this significant work, Richardson provides students, researchers, and comparative theoreticians with a cohesive understanding of the area by organizing diverse schools, frameworks, and approaches according to a much smaller set of underlying assumptions or preconceptions, which themselves can be historically interrelated. By understanding these, it’s possible to find pathways around the area more confidently as a whole, to see the “wood” as well as the theoretical trees, and be able to react to individual models more critically and constructively. 
The Classic Edition of this core text will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students of cognitive development.

Few scientific debates have been more protracted and intense than whether we are born with our cognitive ability, whether our environment moulds it or whether these two things interact to produce it. The Origins of Human Potential offers a new insight into the arguments by showing that many of the assumptions on both sides, are false. Ken Richardson re-examines evidence about the nature of genes in development, the environment and the development of cognitive ability and the nature of cognitive ability itself. Can it really be measured in an IQ test, like height or weight? Ken Richardson's human-centred view describes the evolutionary context of our dynamic, changeable environments and the creative individual at the heart of the debate. It will be of great relevance to psychologists and education policy makers and should be read by all those with an interest in our children's future.

The Origins of Human Potential: Evolution, Development and Psychology

Mental Health

Routledge

Few scientific debates have been more protracted and intense than whether we are born with our cognitive ability, whether our environment moulds it or whether these two things interact to produce it. The Origins of Human Potential offers a new insight into the arguments by showing that many of the assumptions on both sides, are false. Ken Richardson re-examines evidence about the nature of genes in development, the environment and the development of cognitive ability and the nature of cognitive ability itself. Can it really be measured in an IQ test, like height or weight? Ken Richardson's human-centred view describes the evolutionary context of our dynamic, changeable environments and the creative individual at the heart of the debate. It will be of great relevance to psychologists and education policy makers and should be read by all those with an interest in our children's future.

This book provides an authoritative source of information on kangaroos and their relatives. Topics include: species characteristics and biology, adaptations and function, and conservation. The book also discusses culling and the commercial kangaroo harvest, as well as national attitudes to kangaroos and their value for tourism.There are 71 recognized species of kangaroo found in Australasia. Of these, 46 are endemic to Australia, 21 are endemic to the island of New Guinea, and four species are found in both regions. The various species have a number of common names, including bettong, kangaroo, pademelon, potoroo, quokka, rat kangaroo, rock wallaby, tree kangaroo, wallaby and wallaroo. Illustrated in full color, Australia’s Amazing Kangaroos will give readers insight into the world of this intriguing marsupial – an animal that has pride of place on the Australian Coat of Arms.

Australia’s Amazing Kangaroos [OP]: Their Conservation, Unique Biology and Coexistence with Humans

Science & Math

Biological Sciences

CSIRO Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Richardson, Ken. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Richardson, Ken

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Richardson, Ken. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Making of Intelligence

The Making of Intelligence

Genes, Brains, and Human Potential: The Science and Ideology of Intelligence

Understanding Intelligence

Understanding Psychology

Models Of Cognitive Development (Psychology Press & Routledge Classic Editions)

Models Of Cognitive Development (Psychology Press & Routledge Classic Editions)

The Origins of Human Potential: Evolution, Development and Psychology

The Origins of Human Potential: Evolution, Development and Psychology

Australia’s Amazing Kangaroos [OP]: Their Conservation, Unique Biology and Coexistence with Humans