What was the major thesis of the book the bell curve by Richard herrnstein and Charles Murray?

Answer 1

The major thesis of "The Bell Curve" by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray is that intelligence, as measured by IQ, is a significant predictor of various social outcomes, such as socioeconomic status, education, and criminal behavior. The authors argue that intelligence is largely hereditary and that societal disparities in wealth and achievement can be partially attributed to differences in cognitive ability. The book also controversially discusses the implications of these findings for social policy and welfare, suggesting that interventions may have limited effectiveness in addressing these disparities. Critics have challenged the book's conclusions and methodology, particularly regarding the role of environment and socio-economic factors.