What can be a consequence of societal perceptions shaped by intelligence testing?

Perceived hierarchies of intelligence stemming from intelligence testing can lead to biases in various societal contexts. Intelligence tests often produce a range of scores, which can inadvertently suggest that some individuals or groups are inherently more intelligent than others based on their performance. This can reinforce stereotypes and foster discrimination, as people may begin to associate intelligence with specific demographics, such as socioeconomic status, race, or gender.

Such biases can result in negative consequences, including decreased opportunities for those who are perceived to be of lower intelligence, impacting their access to education, employment, and social services. This hierarchical perception can skew public policy and resource allocation, as certain groups may be favored over others based solely on test results, perpetuating inequity and limiting the potential of individuals identified as "less intelligent." Thus, the societal implications of intelligence testing can extend far beyond the individual scores, influencing perceptions and treatment of entire communities based on those scores.