Posted on 09/08/2006 5:29:18 PM PDT by fanfan
A recent study proves it is "very likely" that the reason women have difficulty rising to the top in their careers is because they are less intelligent than men, according to controversial University of Western Ontario psychologist J. Philippe Rushton.
The professor -- criticized for claiming whites are intellectually superior to blacks, and that higher AIDS rates in Africa are due to a more insatiable sexual appetite in the black community -- believes the "glass ceiling" phenomenon is probably due to innate ability rather than discrimination.
"We have to find the truth about the normal distribution in society," said the professor, whose study is published in the September issue of the academic journal Intelligence. "It's not right to simply say, 'it must be discrimination and don't dare say anything else.' One should really look at the facts."
Rushton co-authored a study that analyzed 100,000 scholastic aptitude tests (SATs) written by American teens, age 17 and 18. Researchers focused on the general intelligence factor -- which relates to how quickly an individual can grasp a concept and is widely considered the most crucial ingredient for high IQ scores -- and discovered males scored the equivalent of 3.63 IQ points greater than their female counterparts.
Rushton, who was surprised by the findings, said the results reinforce similar studies carried out by Richard Lynn at the University of Ulster, in Northern Ireland, and Helmut Nyborg at Aarhus University in Denmark.
"We still have to be cautious, but it's difficult to believe this is wrong. But it would very nice to be confirmed by additional teams before we can be 100 per cent certain."
Rushton said the male-female differences were present at every socio-economic level and across several ethnic groups.
It's only in late adolescence that the IQ advantage becomes apparent, he said, which he attributes to the difference in early maturity levels.
"It looks like up until late adolescence, the females have the advantage over males because they mature faster, which masks the underlying difference."
For the last century, the consensus among scientists has been that there is no difference in intelligence levels between the sexes, other than perhaps men's and women's respective strengths in spatial and verbal functions.
HEAVIER BRAINS
While the bulk of Rushton's work has pertained to race differences, he also published a study in 1992 with zoologist Davison Ankney that claimed men's brains weighed, on average, 100 grams more than women's.
Rushton said he knows his findings are unpopular, but believes it's important to find the "truth" about our natures.
"I know many people would like to believe things are different but, when you look at the data, it just doesn't seem to be that way."
Rushton's past race claims about Asians being more intelligent than whites, and whites more intelligent than blacks, have drawn criticism from both within and outside the scientific community. In 1989, environmentalist-broadcaster David Suzuki was so outraged by the race claims that he challenged the psychologist to a public debate, which was held at the University of Western campus. Former Ontario premier David Peterson once said he would have Rushton fired if he had the power to do so.
I wonder if he was counting man's second brain - you know - the one that is in his "other head".
Don't know if that one contributes to IQ, though.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the last 4 weeks I have worked 70 hours a week. I must be a statistical aberration : )
That's gotta hurt!
I don't believe everything I read. :-p
Actually, that most likely has something to do with it. I couldn't imagine doing what I'm doing and having to deal with a husband and raise children at the same time.
There are also studies that suggest that women to to be politically more conservative.
Lucy Van Pelt (leaning on Schroder's piano): "Did you know that it's a scientific fact that girls are smarter than boys? And do you know who discovered it? WOMEN SCIENTISTS!"
I wonder if picking the brain is related to brushing up on something... hmm... perhaps we could comb the internet for further information on this question...
ping (and see also http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1698161/posts)
Very true!
Women multitask better
But you're guilty of generalizing just as much here. I don't know if this statement of yours is true.
(try to beat them at Scrabble!)
Better verbal skills? Doesn't mean multitasking, IMHO.
ROTFLOL...I thought I was the only one! (Though I hate Scrabble, I do LOVE the OED!)
Women also have much better memories. For example, I have an ex-wife who's memory is so good that she remembers things that never even happened.
LOL!
My husband has one of those too.
aaahhhhh.....our weekend battle-of-the-sexes thread. You never know what it'll be called from week to week.
:-)
If you watch themedia, you already KNOW that white men are evil and have caused every bruise or scratch ever received.
Of course.
It's even the white mans fault when lesbians fight!
;-)
THAT may be true! The ellendegenerate/anneheche battle does seem to have been caused by a MAN. (Y' gotta' love that one.)
No kidding.
Now to the important stuff................... Ladies Final at the U.S Open tonight .......... who do you think will pull it off????
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