IQ Constancy in Disadvantaged Negro Children

Abstract

A longitudinal followup of 59 disadvantaged Negro children from age 3 to 8 indicated that: (1) their mean Binet IQ was relatively stable, while their Peabody IQ rose appreciably; (2) the magnitude of the correlation between earlier and later IQ scores was a function of the interval between test-retest and the age of the child on the initial comparison test; (3) ratings on test-taking behavior yielded significant sex differences and age trends; (4) ratings specific to formal test performance were significantly correlated with IQ scores of tests taken concurrent to the ratings and of tests taken one or more years later; (5) these ratings did not, however, enhance in multiple regression the correlation which obtained for predictor and criterion IQ scores alone. Findings were discussed in relation to other studies.