Measurement of intelligence: misplaced trust and the lure of prophecy.

A careful look at studies of "intelligence" and "aptitude" tests belies the contention that these tests measure heritable attributes. Rather, they are achievement tests that measure learned abilities. When stripped of the aura of "intelligence" and "aptitude" and compared with other indexes of accomplishment, they are poor predictors of future performance. Furthermore, when promulgated as measures of cognitive potential, they are socially harmful, particularly to disadvantaged children.