During World War 1, intelligence quotient (IQ) tests were widely practiced throughout the United States. Intelligence testing was originally meant to gauge soldiers’ abilities through their scores on specific assessments. However, the implementation of these tests was discredited and proved to be completely ineffective. 

When IQ testing was at its peak, the ideas of “Army Alpha” and “Army Beta” were developed. These two assessments were the main conclusive solution to determining which soldiers were competent and had the ability to serve in the war. The Army Alpha tests were designed for men who were seasoned in the English language, where military leaders determined literacy by having soldiers read a newspaper article and write a letter home.

 In contrast, Army Beta tests were designed specifically for illiterate men and/or those who were not completely fluent in English. Again, fluency was determined by their ability to read and write the English language. 

Army Alpha and Beta tests played a large role in determining where soldiers were placed within the military. Their scores led to leadership appointments, serving opportunities, and job placement in the ranks. However, the results of soldier’s test scores often led to immigrants from Southern (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, etc.) and Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.) receiving consistently lower scores than those from Northern Europe (Finland, United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, etc.). 

The idea of eugenics was a publicly pushed agenda due to the nature of military implementation of intelligence testing. Eugenics is the study of arranging and monitoring reproduction within the human race to increase the contingency of “desirable” genetic traits. Eugenicists used these tests as a means of supporting their racist ideologies, making their white predecessors seemingly more intelligent. Interestingly, however, many Northern European men who took the Army Alpha test scored very low and were assigned to take the Beta test and were deemed incompetent after. 

The tests were later criticized for their inaccuracy because their results were based solely on acculturation instead of intelligence. The majority of the scores reflected the amount of time a person spent within the United States and available educational opportunities. 

Overall, it can be concluded that the history of intelligence testing is extremely discriminatory. Originally, IQ tests were supposed to be a beneficial tool used by scientists, doctors, and researchers, to understand human society and development better; instead, it was used to push prejudiced agendas and foster a hateful environment for the less fortunate. 

IQ tests are still used globally and are prominent within our military. Throughout the years, improvements have been made to properly examine veteran’s capabilities to serve the country. Without the initial cruelty of the Army Alpha and Beta tests, we would not have been able to further the measurement of intelligence as we have today. 

Works cited:

1.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6526409/
2. https://www.officialasvab.com/researchers/history-of-military-testing/
3. https://understandingrace.org/history/science/race-and-intelligence-1900-1930/#:~:text=The%20Army’s%20Alpha%20and%20Beta,earlier%20immigrants%20from%20Northern%20Europe.