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Ashkenazi Jews have a higher IQ by a whole stddev over the general population, regardless of religiosity or socioeconomic factors [0]. It's possible the Talmud
by lr4444lr 3y ago
Ashkenazi Jews have a higher IQ by a whole stddev over the general population, regardless of religiosity or socioeconomic factors [0]. It's possible the Talmud played a role in selective reproductive pressures toward this outcome, sure: learned men in Jewish culture tended to be desirable mates. But there are other historical factors at play too.
[0] https://web.mit.edu/fustflum/documents/papers/AshkenaziIQ.jbiosocsci.pdf https://web.mit.edu/fustflum/documents/papers/AshkenaziIQ.jb...
- detourdog 3y agoThis could easily be survivorship bias. The less driven often stayed behind in the old country to be wiped out.
- yonaguska 3y ago> although a recent review concludes that the advantage is slightly less, only half a standard deviation Lynn (2004). From the paper you linked. Most of the studies cited were pretty flawed in implementation iirc. The paper you linked also fails to mention the most probable reason for Jewish success, which imo is the community itself. More specifically, the n-word, nepotism. I have a very Jewish name, and I've experienced preference for it. I think this also presents unique opportunities for access to early, high value education, regardless of socioeconomic status, which definitely skews the IQ results.