Patterns of Mental Abilities: Ethnic, Socioeconomic, and Sex Differences1

Past research has shown that males and females exhibit characteristic patterns of mental abilities; however, comparatively few studies have considered the patterns of mental abilities that distinguish different ethnic and socioeconomic groups (Anastasi, 1958). One such study, conducted by Lesser, Fifer, and Clark (1965) found characteristic patterns of mental abilities for first grade children from different ethnic backgrounds (Chinese, Jewish, Negro, and Puerto Rican). The ethnic patterns differed in shape and average level. Socioeconomic status (SES) was not related to the shape of the patterns, but those of higher SES tended to have higher mean scores on the mental ability tests. A replication study (Stodolsky and Lesser, 1967) confirmed these results on a sample of Negro and Chinese first graders; however, no common ethnic pattern emerged for samples of lower- and middle-class Irish-Catholics.