Average IQ by country 2012

[JimC]

Meh.
All an IQ test measures is how good someone is at IQ tests. Wake me up when someone invents a common sense test.

You can't believe that intelligence is unmeasurable, because differentiating between a very dumb person and a genius is easy. So you must doubt the validity of the various IQ tests to measure intelligence. But you aren't familiar with the several varieties of IQ tests, are you So that makes you a bit lacking in logic and common sense

So, let us assume for a minute that these IQ tests are somewhat accurate. You then take countries that have had war, food shortages, economic exploitation and a whole slew of other things and you're going to get a a big chunk of the population that hasn't been thinking about all that much beyond staying alive and maybe getting a wee bit more stability.

Add to that the effects of having a lot of mothers mother not getting steady nutrients to the child in utero, but pumping a lot of stress hormones in there and the spotty nutrition during childhood and you've accounted for abysmal IQ scores without bringing genetics into it.

But just for good measure, we should also remain sceptical of IQ tests used in such diverse cultures.


But why would anyone want so badly to believe that skin colour is an indicator intelligence? Why would anyone want so badly to believe in a six day creation myth?

As for the smart Asian thing, many developed Asian countries have very intense education systems. Whatever IQ tests actually measure, we cannot escape the reality that they are measuring cognitive performance that is influenced by many things, including a genetic factor, influences in utero, early childhood environment and education.

[cronus]

There is a less than adequate educational system in parts of Africa, and some of it is funded by Madonna.

[JacksSmirkingRevenge]

There is a less than adequate educational system in parts of Africa, and some of it is funded by Madonna.

Just the mere presence of Madonna in any country will probably lower it's average IQ by a few points anyway, I imagine.

[PsychoSerenity]

Interesting opportunity to follow the sources. The list comes from a meta-analysis which has been criticized for unsystematic methodology, distortion and misrepresentation of the research of other scientists. The data used for Equatorial Guinea was apparently actually the mean IQ of forty-eight 10 to 14-year-olds attending a school for handicapped children in Spain.

[Tyrannical]

What does it matter what the average IQ in your country is? What does that say about you? Fuck all!

Even if it is true that the "average" Ethiopian is pretty fucking stupid, that does not preclude an individual Ethiopian being the next Einstein, Newton, Feynmann, Archimedes or Katie Price! It just doesn't! Average is no measure of extremes!

A certain level of intelligence is required by a percentage of the workforce to maintain an envisioned 21st century life style.

In a Democracy, voters are treated equally regardless of their intelligence.

Averages and standard deviations can predict intelligence extremes.

[Tyrannical]

So, let us assume for a minute that these IQ tests are somewhat accurate. You then take countries that have had war, food shortages, economic exploitation and a whole slew of other things and you're going to get a a big chunk of the population that hasn't been thinking about all that much beyond staying alive and maybe getting a wee bit more stability.

Add to that the effects of having a lot of mothers mother not getting steady nutrients to the child in utero, but pumping a lot of stress hormones in there and the spotty nutrition during childhood and you've accounted for abysmal IQ scores without bringing genetics into it.

While malnutrition and stress can impair intelligence, even when removed from that environment and new generations have been born the difference still remains.

But just for good measure, we should also remain sceptical of IQ tests used in such diverse cultures.

Test results are consistent based on race even when cultures are diverse through adoption or immigration.

But why would anyone want so badly to believe that skin colour is an indicator intelligence?

It's not skin color and it's not wanting. It is accurately depicting genetic based behavior and intelligence.

Why would anyone want so badly to believe in a six day creation myth?

Because believing in the biblical all men are created equal" gives a moral justification to being anti-racist.

[Robert_S]

What's so great about being a racist?

[Tyrannical]

What's so great about being a racist?

Same as an atheist.

[Jason]

Atheism being nothing more than the lack of belief in specific claims, how is racism the same thing?

[cronus]

What's so great about being a racist?

Same as an atheist.

I believe in God. Not everyone here is a atheist. Without God there is no way of explaining a book entitled 'The God Delusion' is there?

[Jason]

God as a concept, or you believe in a concept of a God? Which concept? Be specific. Stating you 'believe in God' is some ambiguous shit.

[cronus]

God as a concept, or you believe in a concept of a God? Which concept? Be specific. Stating you 'believe in God' is some ambiguous shit.

I'm saying it as a sound for a easy life.

[Robert_S]

What's so great about being a racist?

Same as an atheist.

It's a-theist, not athe-ist. It is something I'm not. It is only contingent of being surrounded by theists that the word "atheism" is even useful. Why is it important to me that I bother to identify as such? Because of the harm done by religion and because I see skepticism as a positive virtue.

Why am I anti-racist? Because I see the harm done by racism and I do not find the basis of racial ideologies convincing.

[JimC]

What's so great about being a racist?

Same as an atheist.

It's a-theist, not athe-ist. It is something I'm not. It is only contingent of being surrounded by theists that the word "atheism" is even useful. Why is it important to me that I bother to identify as such? Because of the harm done by religion and because I see skepticism as a positive virtue.

Why am I anti-racist? Because I see the harm done by racism and I do not find the basis of racial ideologies convincing.

Well said!

[Gawdzilla Sama]

What's so great about being a racist?

Same as an atheist.

Non-answer, sign of weakness.