ADDRESSING PSYCHOLOGY PROBLEMS WITH RACE

The biological concept of race has long been controversial in psycholo gy. Although many psychologists have challenged the concept of race, o thers have espoused it as a deductive premise and applied it as an inf erential and research factor and variable, especially regarding Black- White IQ differences. Although race and its use have been polemically disputed for decades, no disciplinewide, concerted action within psych ology has been taken to ascertain the scientific meaning of race and t o determine its proper application. Psychology's inaction contrasts wi th deliberate steps taken by other national and international scientif ic groups. This article examines a variety of problems concerning race in psychology: (a) definition, (b) application, (c) invoking authorit y and references for genetic knowledge, and (d) passive inaction by ps ychologists and professional associations.