Scientist Summarizes Evidence Against Burt's IQ Test Data

A recent article in the journal "Science" states that a consensus of scientists believes a once-crucial piece of evidence for the theory of the genetic inheritability of IQ was false and possibly fabricated.

Professor D.D. Dorfman of the University of Iowa, writing in the September 29 edition, stated that the late Dr. Cyril Burt fabricated data in support of his theories on the inheritability of IQ. Dorfman's article is the latest in a series of attacks on Burt's evidence since he died in 1971.

Some scientists used Burt's evidence to support theories that IQ inheritance can be traced along social and racial lines. Burt himself never dealt with the possible racial implications of his work.

Reaction to the article was varied. Richard J. Herrnstein, professor of Psychology and a supporter of the genetic theory of IQ, said yesterday "nothing at all has changed" in the area of IQ study since Burt's evidence was discredited.

"No one has used Burt's evidence in some time," he said, adding that while Burt made a "great theoretical contribution" to the field, his data was known to be "casual" and has been superceded by more accurate and less spectacular data.

Herrnstein said that while Dorfman's article was "generally quite good," Dorfman overlooked Burt's admission that he had "normalized" his data. "Normalizing data as Burt did is not unusual when you aren't working with standardized IQ tests," Herrnstein added.

Stuff and Nonsense

Richard C. Lewontin '50, professor of Biology, said yesterday "The case is airtight, Burt was a fraud in many ways." He added that "all this nonsense about IQ and heredity" depended on Burt's evidence. "That they were fraudulent was to be expected," Lewontin said.

Christopher S. Jencks, professor of Sociology, said much recent U.S. evidence "broadly and loosely" supports Burt. "Evidence is very strong that genes have some effect on performance on standa dized tests," he said.

Jencks added that the U.S. studies do not accord genetic factors as much of a role in determining IQ as Burt's study did.

William Shockley, author of a controversial theory that correlates IQ with race, said yesterday "the American intellectual community" has demonstrated "profound intellectual irresponsibility" on this issue. He added that while "Dorfman has done a sound piece of work," his conclusion is "not entirely warranted.