Leonard Lieberman

Redefining Race: The Potential Demise of a Concept in Physical Anthropology [and Comments and Reply]

Analysis of physical anthropology textbooks published in the United States in the years 1932-79 reveals a significant decline in support for the race concept, expecially in the 1970s. Before 1970 the great majority of texts expressed the view that races exist and that the race concept is a valid tool for the description and study of human variation. In the 1970s an increasing proportion of texts rejected the race concept, with the no-race view becoming the most frequent one by 1975-79. Although the accumulation of new knowledge about human variation has contributed to the dramatic shift in textbook treatments of race, we argue that changes in the social context of anthropology have also been important. The political milieu of the 1960s coupled with the rapid institutional expansion of anthropology and the changing sociocultural characteristics of anthropologists and their students have contributed to the decline of the race concept in physical anthropology textbooks.

Herrnstein and Murray, Inc. "IQs 'R Us.".

The basic claims of The Bell Curve are contradicted. Studies are reviewed indicating that consensus does not exist that IQ tests measure intelligence. When sociocultural environment was held constant, differences in measured intelligence between groups were not present. Claims of 60% within group heritability are based on twin studies where a significant number of separated twins were reared in similar environments. Degree of African or European ancestry does not correlate with test scores. Environmental programs can bring about significant changes in the lives of the participants. The purpose of The Bell Curve is not to disseminate knowledge, but to provide a weapon to justify continued economic disenfranchisement of the low-income members of society.

The fitness of human sociobiology: The future utility of four concepts in four subdisciplines

Reported here are the results of a survey inquiring into the rate of acceptance of four sociobiological concepts in regard to their usefulness for future research. Included in the survey were members of four subdisciplines: animal behavior (biology), biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and developmental psychology. Three types of institutions were included: universities, four- and five-year colleges, and community colleges. A total of 1,631 responses are reported with the degree of acceptance varying from highest to lowest as follows: biology, biological anthropology, developmental psychology, and cultural anthropology. These variations are related to the central concepts of each subdiscipline.

Race and Racism in Science and Society

The paper that follows is one of a series of articles on the race concept. The first paper in the series was a survey of the literature on race initially written by Leonard Lieberman for a graduate seminar on problems in physical anthropology. During the process of writing and rewriting this paper for its eventual publication in Phylon, Lieberman became convinced that the race concept was invalid. Larry Reynolds had been working in the general area of the sociology of sociology, and had just published a handful of articles on the social origins of conceptual diversity among symbolic interactionists. Bernard N. Meltzer suggested that the two of us might consider applying a sociology of sociology style of analysis to the race concept, and there was begun a long and fruitful period of collaboration.

The Family in the Tube: Potential Uses of Television*

It is proposed that television programs be utilized in classes on the family. The utility of program content is critically discussed. Also considered are methods for classroom use, and problems of access to program material. Recommendations are made for section meetings at NCFR, and other national organizations where those concerned can communicate about the problems of use and access. Also suggested is a campaign to assure access to program material.

Husband-Wife Interaction in Second Careers

A typology of husband-wife interaction is developed from interviews with 68 currently married artists age 50 or older who were engaged in art and craft fairs as a second career. The study provides an example of the linkages between work and family by indicating the extent to which the nature of work can influence the interactions of husbands and wives and the way in which husband-wife interactions can support work activities.