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And there are reasons for that. There might be a genetic component, but before going there consider: - nutrition - access to clean water - pollution - expos

And there are reasons for that. There might be a genetic component, but before going there consider: - nutrition - access to clean water - pollution - exposure to lead, arsenic, etc. Some people argue that there are SNP markers associated with higher IQ that are not present in African populations. The problem with that argument is that not all of those SNPs have been found.

margorczynski 9y ago
Read the studies, do You think they pick some random kids dying of hunger? Many of those tested are middle-class african students that have access to all those things. An average African student has an average IQ of 85, which is one SD from the average. This is in line with whites where the average student is about 110-115 which is one SD from the average
- partycoder 9y ago
  IQ of 100 is defined as the mean IQ, and as such it is always moving. The trend is that the mean IQ is rising. But that trend has been delayed in some countries. All the factors I mentioned have an impact in IQ. Two more concrete examples: - Nutrition-wise, it is not only about hunger. The addition of iodine in food such as tablet salt, has improved Western IQ by about 15 points. In contrast, iodine deficiency is a problem present in Africa. - Leaded fuel for example had a negative impact on the brain and has been found to affect IQ negatively. Only recently Africa has been transitioning out of leaded fuel. Now, if you are going to be taking a random sample that is representative of a population, everyone within that population has the same probability of being sampled, so the "random kids" you mentioned could perfectly be sampled, and if they're significant in their population that might be reflected in the sample as well.
- focaldev98 9y ago
  I am from Africa. I can say first-hand that most aren't interested in scientific and technological pursuits. However, I can make the same claim for white people. The difference between us is access to great education and resources. I was fortunate enough to grow in a wealthy family and have access a great education. This African "middle-class" you speak of is almost non-existent please care to check for Th GDP per capita of most African nations and dare say THAT is not lower than the norm.
cup-of-tea 9y ago
Humans evolved there. The conditions there are better than the rest of the world, not worse. The only reason we have nutrition and access to clean water in other parts is because we invented the technology to provide that.

margorczynski 9y ago

Read the studies, do You think they pick some random kids dying of hunger? Many of those tested are middle-class african students that have access to all those things. An average African student has an average IQ of 85, which is one SD from the average. This is in line with whites where the average student is about 110-115 which is one SD from the average

partycoder 9y ago
IQ of 100 is defined as the mean IQ, and as such it is always moving. The trend is that the mean IQ is rising. But that trend has been delayed in some countries. All the factors I mentioned have an impact in IQ. Two more concrete examples: - Nutrition-wise, it is not only about hunger. The addition of iodine in food such as tablet salt, has improved Western IQ by about 15 points. In contrast, iodine deficiency is a problem present in Africa. - Leaded fuel for example had a negative impact on the brain and has been found to affect IQ negatively. Only recently Africa has been transitioning out of leaded fuel. Now, if you are going to be taking a random sample that is representative of a population, everyone within that population has the same probability of being sampled, so the "random kids" you mentioned could perfectly be sampled, and if they're significant in their population that might be reflected in the sample as well.
focaldev98 9y ago
I am from Africa. I can say first-hand that most aren't interested in scientific and technological pursuits. However, I can make the same claim for white people. The difference between us is access to great education and resources. I was fortunate enough to grow in a wealthy family and have access a great education. This African "middle-class" you speak of is almost non-existent please care to check for Th GDP per capita of most African nations and dare say THAT is not lower than the norm.

cup-of-tea 9y ago

Humans evolved there. The conditions there are better than the rest of the world, not worse. The only reason we have nutrition and access to clean water in other parts is because we invented the technology to provide that.