Chapter 16 Social Behavior and the Prevalence of Low Cognitive Ability
Poverty
In 1989, about 11.1 percent of young adults aged 25 to 34 were considered poor. Nearly half of the poor individuals came from the bottom 20 percent in cognitive ability as measured by IQ. The data shows that if cognitive ability did not relate to poverty, the poor would be evenly distributed across IQ levels. However, the reality is that most poor people have low cognitive abilities, with an average IQ of 88, and a significant portion scoring even lower.
High School Dropouts
Most high school dropouts tend to have low intelligence. A significant 94 percent of those who permanently dropped out of school had below-average IQ scores, suggesting a strong connection between low intelligence and dropping out. Among high school dropouts, two-thirds came from the lowest 20 percent in IQ. Those who later return to earn their GED still rank lower than average high school graduates, with 25 percent in the lowest two IQ deciles and 69 percent in the lower half of the IQ distribution.
Men and Work
Year-round employment among men shows a limited link to cognitive ability, with only a small increase in IQ for those in higher categories. In 1989, 17 percent of year-round workers fell in the bottom 20 percent of intelligence, with an average IQ of 102. Most men actually did work throughout the year, contradicting the stereotype of the idle male. Among those not working at all, the average IQ was much lower at 84, and 64 percent were in the bottom 20 percent. Unemployment is slightly more common among men with lower IQs, especially for those who are unemployed for longer periods.
Men and Crime
A study of men in correctional facilities showed that the average IQ was 84. A significant number, 45%, had very low cognitive abilities, placing them in the bottom decile, while 93% were in the lower half of IQ scores. Additionally, 62% of the men had IQs that ranked in the bottom 20 percent. These findings are in line with other research suggesting that low intelligence is common among those who commit crimes.
Women and Welfare
Women who have received welfare generally have lower IQ scores. The average IQ of these women is 89, with about 85 percent below average and less than 4 percent in the highest IQ range. For women who are chronic welfare recipients, meaning they have been on welfare for at least five years, the situation is worse. Their average IQ is 86, with 57 percent in the lowest two IQ ranges and 88 percent in the bottom half overall. This shows a connection between low IQ and long-term reliance on welfare.
Outcomes for Children
The section discusses the connection between the intelligence of mothers and various problems experienced by their children. As of 1990, mothers in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) tended to have below-average IQs, with a mean score of 95.7. A significant portion of children, 62%, had mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. Among children born to unmarried women, the situation was even more alarming, with a mean IQ of mothers at just 87.3, and one-third of these children had mothers in the bottom 10% of intelligence.
For children raised by divorced or separated mothers, the average IQ was slightly higher at 93.4, but still showed that 76% were born to mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. It highlights that while both illegitimacy and divorce lead to single-parent situations, lower IQs are more associated with illegitimacy.
Additionally, low birth weight in babies correlated more with maternal IQ than socioeconomic status. Mothers with low-birth-weight babies averaged an IQ of 89, with 74% in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. A poor home environment also connected to low maternal IQ, which averaged 86 for mothers in the worst environments.
Children living in poverty had an average maternal IQ of 84, and 93% had mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. Developmental problems in children also frequently aligned with having mothers with low IQs, emphasizing a strong relationship between maternal IQ and the challenges faced by their children. The data indicates a persistent cycle where low maternal IQ contributes to various risks and disadvantages for their children.
Concluding Remarks
A hopeful perspective emerges despite the challenges faced in society. The Middle Class Values Index indicates that cognitive ability is linked to social behaviors, with only a small percentage of individuals scoring positively coming from the lowest intelligence groups. Most people in the lower half of cognitive ability are employed and provide stable environments for their children. It is important to recognize that issues cannot be solely attributed to socioeconomic factors, as IQ also plays a significant role. Solutions to social problems should focus on the needs of those with lower cognitive abilities.
Poverty
In 1989, about 11.1 percent of young adults aged 25 to 34 were considered poor. Nearly half of the poor individuals came from the bottom 20 percent in cognitive ability as measured by IQ. The data shows that if cognitive ability did not relate to poverty, the poor would be evenly distributed across IQ levels. However, the reality is that most poor people have low cognitive abilities, with an average IQ of 88, and a significant portion scoring even lower.
High School Dropouts
Most high school dropouts tend to have low intelligence. A significant 94 percent of those who permanently dropped out of school had below-average IQ scores, suggesting a strong connection between low intelligence and dropping out. Among high school dropouts, two-thirds came from the lowest 20 percent in IQ. Those who later return to earn their GED still rank lower than average high school graduates, with 25 percent in the lowest two IQ deciles and 69 percent in the lower half of the IQ distribution.
Men and Work
Year-round employment among men shows a limited link to cognitive ability, with only a small increase in IQ for those in higher categories. In 1989, 17 percent of year-round workers fell in the bottom 20 percent of intelligence, with an average IQ of 102. Most men actually did work throughout the year, contradicting the stereotype of the idle male. Among those not working at all, the average IQ was much lower at 84, and 64 percent were in the bottom 20 percent. Unemployment is slightly more common among men with lower IQs, especially for those who are unemployed for longer periods.
Men and Crime
A study of men in correctional facilities showed that the average IQ was 84. A significant number, 45%, had very low cognitive abilities, placing them in the bottom decile, while 93% were in the lower half of IQ scores. Additionally, 62% of the men had IQs that ranked in the bottom 20 percent. These findings are in line with other research suggesting that low intelligence is common among those who commit crimes.
Women and Welfare
Women who have received welfare generally have lower IQ scores. The average IQ of these women is 89, with about 85 percent below average and less than 4 percent in the highest IQ range. For women who are chronic welfare recipients, meaning they have been on welfare for at least five years, the situation is worse. Their average IQ is 86, with 57 percent in the lowest two IQ ranges and 88 percent in the bottom half overall. This shows a connection between low IQ and long-term reliance on welfare.
Outcomes for Children
The section discusses the connection between the intelligence of mothers and various problems experienced by their children. As of 1990, mothers in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) tended to have below-average IQs, with a mean score of 95.7. A significant portion of children, 62%, had mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. Among children born to unmarried women, the situation was even more alarming, with a mean IQ of mothers at just 87.3, and one-third of these children had mothers in the bottom 10% of intelligence.
For children raised by divorced or separated mothers, the average IQ was slightly higher at 93.4, but still showed that 76% were born to mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. It highlights that while both illegitimacy and divorce lead to single-parent situations, lower IQs are more associated with illegitimacy.
Additionally, low birth weight in babies correlated more with maternal IQ than socioeconomic status. Mothers with low-birth-weight babies averaged an IQ of 89, with 74% in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. A poor home environment also connected to low maternal IQ, which averaged 86 for mothers in the worst environments.
Children living in poverty had an average maternal IQ of 84, and 93% had mothers in the bottom half of the IQ distribution. Developmental problems in children also frequently aligned with having mothers with low IQs, emphasizing a strong relationship between maternal IQ and the challenges faced by their children. The data indicates a persistent cycle where low maternal IQ contributes to various risks and disadvantages for their children.
Concluding Remarks
A hopeful perspective emerges despite the challenges faced in society. The Middle Class Values Index indicates that cognitive ability is linked to social behaviors, with only a small percentage of individuals scoring positively coming from the lowest intelligence groups. Most people in the lower half of cognitive ability are employed and provide stable environments for their children. It is important to recognize that issues cannot be solely attributed to socioeconomic factors, as IQ also plays a significant role. Solutions to social problems should focus on the needs of those with lower cognitive abilities.