Lewis Terman

Lewis Terman
Name	Lewis Terman
Caption	Terman c. 1920
Birth date	15 January 1877
Birth place	Johnson County, Indiana, U.S.
Death date	21 December 1956
Death place	Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Fields	Psychology
Workplaces	Stanford University
Alma mater	Indiana University, Clark University
Doctoral advisor	Edmund Sanford
Known for	Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales, Genetic Studies of Genius
Spouse	Anna Belle Minton

Lewis Terman was a prominent American psychologist and professor at Stanford University, best known for his revision of the Binet–Simon scale into the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales. His work profoundly shaped the field of psychometrics and the study of gifted education through his longitudinal Genetic Studies of Genius. Terman was also a noted proponent of the eugenics movement in the early 20th century, views that have since drawn significant criticism.

Early life and education

Born on a farm in Johnson County, Indiana, he was the twelfth of fourteen children. Demonstrating early intellectual promise, he became a schoolteacher after attending Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana. He completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana University in 1903, where he was influenced by psychologist Edmund Sanford. Terman then pursued his doctorate at Clark University under Sanford's mentorship, graduating in 1905 with a dissertation on mental testing.

Career and research

After teaching at Los Angeles State Normal School, he joined the faculty of Stanford University in 1910, where he remained for his entire career. His major achievement was the 1916 adaptation and standardization of the Binet–Simon scale, creating the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales, which introduced the intelligence quotient (IQ) to American psychology. During World War I, he contributed to the development of the Army Alpha and Army Beta tests for the United States Army. He served as president of the American Psychological Association in 1923.

Genetic Studies of Genius

In 1921, he launched the monumental Genetic Studies of Genius, a longitudinal study tracking over 1,500 California schoolchildren with high IQ scores, known colloquially as the "Termites". The study, continued by successors like Robert Sears and published in volumes such as The Gifted Child Grows Up, collected data on their careers, health, and life outcomes. This research provided foundational evidence that gifted individuals often achieved significant success, challenging prevailing stereotypes.

Views on eugenics and race

Terman was an active supporter of the American eugenics movement, believing intelligence was largely hereditary. In his 1916 test manual, he expressed views aligning with racial hierarchy theories, suggesting certain ethnic groups scored lower on his tests. He supported policies like immigration restriction and compulsory sterilization, influencing contemporary thought alongside figures like Henry H. Goddard and Carl Brigham, developer of the SAT.

Later life and death

He continued his academic work at Stanford University until his retirement, overseeing the ongoing Genetic Studies of Genius. In his later years, he received honors including the Gold Medal of the American Psychological Foundation. Terman died in Palo Alto, California on December 21, 1956, from complications of tuberculosis.

Legacy and criticism

His development of the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales established him as a father of modern psychometrics and influenced subsequent tests like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The Genetic Studies of Genius remains a landmark in developmental psychology. However, his legacy is heavily marred by his advocacy for eugenics and his use of intelligence testing to promote ideas of racial inferiority, which have been condemned as contributing to discriminatory policies. Contemporary scholars, including Stephen Jay Gould in The Mismeasure of Man, have critically analyzed these aspects of his work.

Category:American psychologists Category:Stanford University faculty Category:People from Johnson County, Indiana