ANOTHER LOOK AT “CULTURAL FAIRNESS”1

Abstract

Four definitions of “cultural fairness” are examined and found to be not only mutually contradictory (for reasons which are explained), but all based on the false view that optimum treatment of cultural factors in test construction or test selection can be reduced to completely mechanical procedures. If a conflict arises between the two goals of maximizing a test's validity and minimizing the test's discrimination against certain cultural groups, then a subjective, policy‐level decision must be made concerning the relative importance of the two goals. The terms in which this judgment should be made are described, and methods are described for entering the result of this judgment into mechanical procedures for constructing a “culturally optimum” test. Such a test will not necessarily fit any of the four definitions of “cultural fairness.”