Comments on: A few observations about immigration and intelligence http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2009/06/10/a-few-observations-about-immigration-and-intelligence/ Beating Them With Their Own Sickle And Hammer Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:23:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jay http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2009/06/10/a-few-observations-about-immigration-and-intelligence/comment-page-1/#comment-118883 Jay Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:58:40 +0000 http://www.stoptheaclu.com/?p=23545#comment-118883 Very interesting notes John. I have nowhere near the education in psychology as you, however I'll humbly offer an opinion. While ancestory, race, environment, and experience are important factors that obviously effect IQ, I think there are many other factors that have to be included. As I read your analysis I wondered particularly on an aspect of each culture's environment...namely their diet. I wonder how living in a prolonged environment limited to that regions diet could effect the mind. There are many other factors to consider in the environment each culture or race immigrated from as well. You mentioned the dominating religion, politics, and genetics. If you have studies on what actually causes particular genetics in the area of IQ to be different among different races, I would be interested in links. Is it how they were forced to adapt to the environments around them? Also, in the case of African Americans coming to America in today's times vs. descendants of slaves, you made no mention of the impact slavery itself could have had on the matter. Living in such conditions has a huge psychological impact that is passed on from generation to generation. Feeling as if one is owed something has an impact on one's motivation to work and interact in the society the grudge is held against. The abuse and treatment of inferiority given to blacks during slavery had an enormous psychological impact on current African American ancestors. Feelings of entitlement, injustice, and pride probably have important roles. Back to the environment aspect, I'm sure modern Africa is a completely different environment than Africa at the time of slavery. Shifting between environments and the adaptation involved would impact. I'm sure I'm making a completely moot point here too, but I believe IQ is only a measurement of a portion of actual intelligence. As far as the Chinese go, I'd like to see studies comparing them to other oriental origins such as Korea and Japan. The Japanese are pretty sharp on the technological advancing stuff. Perhaps it's genetics shared in all orientals? The Chinese can't be too smart to have chosen Communism as their form of government. Very interesting notes John. I have nowhere near the education in psychology as you, however I’ll humbly offer an opinion. While ancestory, race, environment, and experience are important factors that obviously effect IQ, I think there are many other factors that have to be included. As I read your analysis I wondered particularly on an aspect of each culture’s environment…namely their diet. I wonder how living in a prolonged environment limited to that regions diet could effect the mind. There are many other factors to consider in the environment each culture or race immigrated from as well. You mentioned the dominating religion, politics, and genetics.

If you have studies on what actually causes particular genetics in the area of IQ to be different among different races, I would be interested in links. Is it how they were forced to adapt to the environments around them?

Also, in the case of African Americans coming to America in today’s times vs. descendants of slaves, you made no mention of the impact slavery itself could have had on the matter. Living in such conditions has a huge psychological impact that is passed on from generation to generation. Feeling as if one is owed something has an impact on one’s motivation to work and interact in the society the grudge is held against. The abuse and treatment of inferiority given to blacks during slavery had an enormous psychological impact on current African American ancestors. Feelings of entitlement, injustice, and pride probably have important roles.

Back to the environment aspect, I’m sure modern Africa is a completely different environment than Africa at the time of slavery. Shifting between environments and the adaptation involved would impact.

I’m sure I’m making a completely moot point here too, but I believe IQ is only a measurement of a portion of actual intelligence.

As far as the Chinese go, I’d like to see studies comparing them to other oriental origins such as Korea and Japan. The Japanese are pretty sharp on the technological advancing stuff. Perhaps it’s genetics shared in all orientals? The Chinese can’t be too smart to have chosen Communism as their form of government.

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