Targets/1994-Herrnstein
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< Targets
The Bell Curve: Intelligence and class structure in American Life
Specs
- Target article: Herrnstein, R. J. & Murray, C. (1994) The Bell Curve: Intelligence and class structure in American Life. New York: Free Press.
- Commentaries:
- 2009-02-03: "Revisiting basic notions of human intelligence ", Thomas Schick (Raleigh, North Carolina) and Gregory Lockhead (Durham, North Carolina)
Abstract
Herrnstein & Murray (1994) claim that intelligence is largely inherited and can hardly be altered. They are wrong. Everyone’s intelligence is greatly affected by nutrition, health, experiences, and other environmental factors. People who have limited environmental advantages tend to score low on intelligence tests, and tend to participate disproportionately in many of society’s problems. Enhancing environmental factors raises intelligence scores, increases access to the fruits of society, and thus reduces social problems. Such changes modify the shape of the bell curve of measured intelligence by shifting the lower tail toward the right, and reducing the proportion of people categorized by Herrnstein & Murray as a permanent underclass.
