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The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve

Publication ,  Journal Article
Currie, J; Thomas, D
Published in: Industrial Relations
January 1, 1999

Herrnstein and Murray report that conditional on maternal "intelligence" (AFQT scores), child test scores are little affected by variations in socioeconomic status. Using the same data, we demonstrate that their finding is very fragile. We explore the effect of adopting a more representative sample of children, including blacks and Latinos, allowing nonlinearities in the relationships, and incorporating richer measures of socioeconomic status. Making any one of these changes overturns their finding: Socioeconomic status and child test scores are positively and significantly related. Evidence is presented suggesting AFQT scores are likely better markers for family background than "intelligence".

Duke Scholars

Published In

Industrial Relations

DOI

ISSN

0019-8676

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

38

Issue

3

Start / End Page

297 / 330

Related Subject Headings

  • Industrial Relations
  • 1801 Law
  • 1503 Business and Management
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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Currie, J., & Thomas, D. (1999). The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve. Industrial Relations, 38(3), 297–330. https://doi.org/10.1111/0019-8676.00131
Currie, J., and D. Thomas. “The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve.” Industrial Relations 38, no. 3 (January 1, 1999): 297–330. https://doi.org/10.1111/0019-8676.00131.
Currie J, Thomas D. The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve. Industrial Relations. 1999 Jan 1;38(3):297–330.
Currie, J., and D. Thomas. “The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve.” Industrial Relations, vol. 38, no. 3, Jan. 1999, pp. 297–330. Scopus, doi:10.1111/0019-8676.00131.
Currie J, Thomas D. The intergenerational transmission of "intelligence": Down the slippery slopes of The Bell Curve. Industrial Relations. 1999 Jan 1;38(3):297–330.
Journal cover image

Published In

Industrial Relations

DOI

ISSN

0019-8676

Publication Date

January 1, 1999

Volume

38

Issue

3

Start / End Page

297 / 330

Related Subject Headings

  • Industrial Relations
  • 1801 Law
  • 1503 Business and Management
  • 1402 Applied Economics