How could genes cause an IQ advantage? The simplest pathway is head
size. I thought head measurement had been discredited as Eurocentric
pseudoscience. I was wrong. In fact, it's been bolstered by MRI. On
average, Asian-American kids have bigger brains than white American
kids, who in turn have bigger brains than black American kids. This is
true even though the order of body size and weight runs in the other
direction. The pattern holds true throughout the world and persists at
death, as measured by brain weight.

http://www.slate.com/id/2178122/entry/2178123/nav/tap3/

EXCERPTS
Evolution forced Christians to bend or break. They could insist on the
Bible's literal truth and deny the facts, as Bryan did. Or they could
seek a subtler account of creation and human dignity. Today, the
dilemma is yours. You can try to reconcile evidence of racial
differences with a more sophisticated understanding of equality and
opportunity. Or you can fight the evidence and hope it doesn't break
your faith.

Among white Americans, the average IQ, as of a decade or so ago, was
103. Among Asian-Americans, it was 106. Among Jewish Americans, it was
113.

Among Latino Americans, it was 89. Among African-Americans, it
was 85. Around the world, studies find the same general pattern:
whites 100, East Asians 106, sub-Sarahan Africans 70. One IQ table
shows 113 in Hong Kong, 110 in Japan, and 100 in Britain. White
populations in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa,
and the United States score closer to one another than to the
worldwide black average. It's been that way for at least a century.

...

So, what should we make of the difference in averages?

We don't like to think IQ is mostly inherited. But we've all known
families who are smarter than others. Twin and sibling studies, which
can sort genetic from environmental factors, suggest more than half
the variation in IQ scores is genetic.

Asian-American kids have bigger brains than white American
kids, who in turn have bigger brains than black American kids. This is
true even though the order of body size and weight runs in the other
direction. The pattern holds true throughout the world and persists at
death, as measured by brain weight.

One analysis calculates that brain size could easily
account for five points of the black-white IQ gap.

Critics think IQ tests are relative--i.e., they measure fitness for
success in our society, not in other societies. "In a hunter-gatherer
society, IQ will still be important, but if a hunter cannot shoot
straight, IQ will not bring food to the table," argues psychologist
Robert Sternberg. "In a warrior society ... physical prowess may be
equally necessary to stay alive." It's a good point, but it bolsters
the case for a genetic theory. Nature isn't stupid. If Africans,
Asians, and Europeans evolved different genes, the reason is that
their respective genes were suited to their respective environments.

In fact, there's a mountain of evidence that differential evolution
has left each population with a balance of traits that could be
advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on circumstances. The list
of differences is long and intricate. On average, compared with
whites, blacks mature more quickly in the womb, are born earlier, and
develop teeth, strength, and dexterity earlier. They sit, crawl, walk,
and dress themselves earlier. They reach sexual maturity faster, and
they have better eyesight. On each of these measures, East Asians lag
whites and blacks. In exchange, East Asians get longer lives and
bigger brains.

On Nov 19, 1:10 pm, Prisoner at War <prisoner_at_...@yahoo.com> wrote:

http://www.slate.com/id/2178122/entry/2178123/nav/tap3/

EXCERPTS
Evolution forced Christians to bend or break. They could insist on the
Bible's literal truth and deny the facts, as Bryan did. Or they could
seek a subtler account of creation and human dignity. Today, the
dilemma is yours. You can try to reconcile evidence of racial
differences with a more sophisticated understanding of equality and
opportunity. Or you can fight the evidence and hope it doesn't break
your faith.

Beyond identifying the hebrews/isrealites as God's chosen people
and identifying neighboring tribes and nations in the middle east
region, the books in the bible doesn't go into much details with
regards to the physical biological differences. The books in
the Bible were focused on spiritual faith and not on biological
makeup.

.

Among white Americans, the average IQ, as of a decade or so ago, was
103. Among Asian-Americans, it was 106. Among Jewish Americans, it was
113.

logical error: false comparison
-------------------------------------------
Jewish-American is not a racial classification but a religious one.
One can be any racial category and still be a Jewish American.
So comparing asian american, white americans, and jewish
american is a apples to oranges comparison error.

suggested logical fix/repair
----------------------------------------
If you replaced jewish american IQs with the IQ of
orthodox jewish rabbies - that comparison would be valid.
Within a special sect (Orthodox) of Judaism a
Rabbis must come from a special genetic lineage ( a PBS
Nova and a British genetist exploited this custom/fact in
on of their episodes/studies).

Among Latino Americans, it was 89. Among African-Americans, it
was 85. Around the world, studies find the same general pattern:
whites 100, East Asians 106, sub-Sarahan Africans 70. One IQ table
shows 113 in Hong Kong, 110 in Japan, and 100 in Britain. White
populations in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, South Africa,
and the United States score closer to one another than to the
worldwide black average. It's been that way for at least a century.

...

So, what should we make of the difference in averages?

1) Access and quality of educational facilities.

2) Access and quality of family life
(early family and parental experiences is a significant
factors in a person's emotional and intellectual
foundation which impacts their IQ and learning abilities)

3) Nature and focus of what the IQ test.
( what's an important fact or skill to one person may
not be an important fact or skill to another. )

We don't like to think IQ is mostly inherited. But we've all known
families who are smarter than others. Twin and sibling studies, which
can sort genetic from environmental factors, suggest more than half
the variation in IQ scores is genetic.

Unfortunately - IQ scores can vary greatly even among
siblings - Just because one sibling is a genuis does not
follow that the others will be genuises too. Just because
one silbing is mentally challenged does not mean that
the other siblings are also mentally challenged. It appears
that any genetic cognitive abilities we might inherit
is not sufficient unto itself to claim any advantage.
Mental illness might run in the family but its not a
definitive marker of genetic damnation.

Neither is a high IQ score by unto itself - a significant
societal benefit - for it is a person's deeds and
contributions to advance or harm our society
that make them socially signficant.

Asian-American kids have bigger brains than white American
kids, who in turn have bigger brains than black American kids. This is
true even though the order of body size and weight runs in the other
direction. The pattern holds true throughout the world and persists at
death, as measured by brain weight.

One's IQ level does not appear to be significantly
impacted by brain size but by the brain's ability
to focused on solving problems. For example, the
ability to learn is affected by Attention Deficit Disorder
as well as hormones during puberty.

Modern science/medicine can nudge one's genetic
material in a particular direction now, an
endocrinologist can increased body height and size
(stature) of a child early use of hormone therapy.

Could hormone suppression be used in the
future as a cognitive aid?

One analysis calculates that brain size could easily
account for five points of the black-white IQ gap.

I would not put much stock in one study.
A conjecture suggesting one makes a
logical leap of faith without direct data
that scientifically links the need for
added brain size for additional higher
IQ test performace is dubious at best.

If you were to actually trying to figure this out with
an active MRI scan You might want to identify and
study the parts of the brain while it is taking a
standard IQ test. Such a study might identify the
actual neurons and speed of the neuron used
during an IQ test. Such a study might identify
the number of neurons being used to solve
an IQ test and how fast the neurons are firing
while solving an IQ test. Examining the brain
funcition of a known genius with a non non-genius
to determine the differences in brain performance.
I am more incline to believe that brain
performance between a genius and a non-genius
brain function would be similar or impossible
to discern via an MRI study.

Critics think IQ tests are relative--i.e., they measure fitness for
success in our society, not in other societies. "In a hunter-gatherer
society, IQ will still be important, but if a hunter cannot shoot
straight, IQ will not bring food to the table," argues psychologist
Robert Sternberg. "In a warrior society ... physical prowess may be
equally necessary to stay alive." It's a good point, but it bolsters
the case for a genetic theory. Nature isn't stupid. If Africans,
Asians, and Europeans evolved different genes, the reason is that
their respective genes were suited to their respective environments.

I agree.

Certain physical attributes are advantageous in certain
endeavors. It helps if a race horse jockey [or] a ballerina
isn't too big or too heavy. It helps if a sprinter is tall
[with] thin bones and [muscles]. Having very
good vision, good hearing and an excellent sense
of smell [are] very helpful when hunting. Having
a good short term memory is useful in cramming
for an exam. And having a good long term
memory is useful in remembering your spouse's
birthday. :-)



In fact, there's a mountain of evidence that differential evolution
has left each population with a balance of traits that could be
advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on circumstances. The list
of differences is long and intricate. On average, compared with
whites, blacks mature more quickly in the womb, are born earlier, and
develop teeth, strength, and dexterity earlier. They sit, crawl, walk,
and dress themselves earlier. They reach sexual maturity faster, and
they have better eyesight. On each of these measures, East Asians lag
whites and blacks. In exchange, East Asians get longer lives and
bigger brains.

With respect to East Asians having a genetically longer life span -
you have been sorely misinformed.

Currently demographic studies, concluded that East Asian
lifespan is attributed not to genetics but diet. East Asian who
follow the traditional asian diets which are low saturated
fat and high fiber can have longer average lifespans
but East Asian( especially Asian-Americans) who
adapt fatty standard Western European diet (e.g. KFC
fried chicken with mash potatoes and gravy) don't live
very long and infact may even die just as soon or
even earlier than whites or blacks. Lifespan is also
attribute to socio-economic conditions as well as
education - the stress of life can detract from [one's lifespan],
e.g. living in a war zone. General access to medical
care is also another important factor in lifespan.