Review of The meaning of intelligence

Abstract

Reviews the book, The meaning of intelligence by George D. Stoddard (1943). As the title implies, this book is a discussion of the author's conception of intelligence, and of various factors which influence intelligent behavior. The book consists of five parts: I, The Nature of Intelligence; II, The Measurement of Intelligence; III, Growth in Intelligence; IV, Heredity and Environment; V, Intelligence and Society. Stoddard has evidently read widely; but the informed reader will quickly discern that the references are highly selective and are usually for the purpose of defending a very definite point of view. The reviewer argues that while an author is privileged to present his own point of view and even to select data which will support it, he has the obligation of giving readers a fair deal. Specifically, Garrett suggests the reader be told what criticisms have been leveled at the Iowa work by competent psychologists. Garrett agrees with McNemar and Goodenough (whose criticisms of the Iowa work are nowhere mentioned) that the Iowa investigators have committed almost every experimental and statistical error in the calendar, as well as the unforgivable sin of being well-nigh unintelligible in their presentation. It is concluded that there are those who hold that a book should never be unfavorably reviewed; that error inevitably falls of its own weight. In an ideal sense, perhaps, this may be true. But the reviewer feels that it is the duty of a reviewer to accelerate the demise of an erroneous view insofar as he is able. He may at least give it a gentle push. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)