Testing Testing: Social Consequences of the Examined Life

In this thoughtful and fairly accessible book, anthropologist Hanson argues that tests--of ability, character and achievment--define and dominate Americans more than they realize. First examining ``authenticity tests,'' designed to ``identify some qualitative state'' about a person, he then canvasses the practice and pitfalls of lie detection and drug testing, suggesting they do more to control people than to fight improper behavior. In the book's second half, he takes on ``qualifying tests,'' which measure ``ability or inclination.'' Citing new theories of ``multiple intelligences,'' Hanson maintains that conventional notions of merit are based on outdated concepts. His argument for protection of employees from polygraph and other integrity tests is convincing, but he has no easy solution for replacing tests of intelligence. (Mar.)