Rich kids brighter than poor kids shocker!

[threaded]

Whilst you are correct your exceptions do not disprove the rule. What the report is saying is that intelligent people tend to come from better off families. It is not saying "therefore all poor people are stupid". Your reactions reveal more about your own anxieties and prejudices (as to be fair do the other reactions that try to be serious) than they do about the theory itself.

We'll have a little less of the talking sense in this thread if you don't mind.

[shaunbhoy]

We'll have a little less of the talking sense in this thread if you don't mind.

Yeah! I didn't go to the trouble of igniting this whole stramash to have some f00ker trying to explain it rationally!

[DodgyAgent]

We'll have a little less of the talking sense in this thread if you don't mind.

sorry

[Bagpuss]

What the report is saying is that intelligent people tend to come from better off families. It is not saying "therefore all poor people are stupid". Your reactions reveal more about your own anxieties and prejudices (as to be fair do the other reactions that try to be serious) than they do about the theory itself.

It doesn't say that at all, if you read the article, it says the less than averagely intelligent from better backgrounds progress further than those of similar or the same intelligence from poor backgrounds. It does not say richer people have brighter children. It implies background will help a child develop to it's full potential, thus implying two children of the same intelligence will diverge thanks to the financial background effect, they were as intelligent at birth

The article also says those of very high intelligence from poor backgrounds often fail to reach their potential

[shaunbhoy]

It doesn't say that at all, if you read the article, it says the less than averagely intelligent from better backgrounds progress further than those of similar or the same intelligence from poor backgrounds. It does not say richer people have brighter children. It implies background will help a child develop to it's full potential, thus implying two children of the same intelligence will diverge thanks to the financial background effect, they were as intelligent at birth

The article also says those of very high intelligence from poor backgrounds often fail to reach their potential

In short, what it boils down to is that it will be used by NL to justify taxing the middle classes more to "level the playing field".

[Bagpuss]

In short, what it boils down to is that it will be used by NL to justify taxing the middle classes more to "level the playing field".

Perhaps they are confusing money with taking an interest

[threaded]

Perhaps they are confusing money with taking an interest

Very good point Bagpuss. That in a nutshell is the major reason kids from better off backgrounds do better: their parents take an interest.

[shaunbhoy]

the major reason kids from better off backgrounds do better: their parents take an interest.

Exactly. And they take an interest because they realise the worth and value of a good education. And the reason they realise that is because they are brighter..............................(heads for air-raid shelter before flak arrives!)

[Bagpuss]

Exactly. And they take an interest because they realise the worth and value of a good education. And the reason they realise that is because they are brighter..............................(heads for air-raid shelter before flak arrives!)

If brighter is more aware of the value of education, then I agree with you. I don't agree that poorer people have thicker children, they just don't progress to their full potential, I don't think that is because of money, it's lack of parental support. However I know you like to stir......

[TimberWolf]

I wouldn’t put good odds on the likes of Charles or any of his silver spooned progeny obtaining mathematics or physics PhD’s, or by the same token the offspring of Ozzie Osborne and the other rich and famous, e.g. football stars, doing great academically. What's the point. I once read that our walks in life are ‘chosen’ through laziness. For example some of us come into IT or study because we find this easier to do than playing football. Nature, nature, encouragement, drive and necessity are probably some of the necessary ingredients to being 'clever'.