Ethical Aspects of Measuring Intelligence: Towards Competence and Fairness

The article is focused on the problem of intelligence measurement, with an emphasis on the ethical aspects of developing and using tests. The history of intelligence measurement provides a variety of examples, problematic from an ethical point of view, which have repeatedly led to negative consequences for both individuals and entire communities. The purpose of this article is to describe current ethical issues in the field of intelligence measurement, their background and historical examples. We discuss the ethical issues in terms of: (1) global approaches to operationalizing intelligence; 2) possible human rights violations resulting from the use of intelligence tests; 3) the fairness of intelligence tests for different groups of respondents; and 4) assessment of test quality in test selection. These issues are examined through the prism of the ethical principles of psychologists, such as respect, honesty, competence, and responsibility. Despite the extensive history of measuring intelligence and research in this area, ethical issues raised decades ago have not lost their relevance. Since ethical questions often do not have clear-cut answers, we believe that engaging in discussions about ethical issues in intelligence testing and exploring potential solutions is itself important and warranted. The content and conclusions of this article may be useful for both researchers and practitioners to make informed decisions in the context of intelligence measurement.