How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Federico R. León; Andrés Burga-León

doi:10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011

How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Federico R. León
, Andrés Burga-León

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Contribution to Journal) › peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

© 2015. Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-à-vis the weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set. Additive effects of absolute latitude (AL) and longitudinal distance from Homo sapiens' cradle (LDC) explain Northeastern Asian higher, Sub-Saharan African lower CCAs. AL exerts cognitive influence directly and through socioeconomic development and evolutionary genetics whereas LDC does through evolutionary genetics; however, this occurs differently in Africa-Near East-Europe and elsewhere. The findings are understood assuming supremacy of contemporary UV<inf>B</inf> radiation→hormonal and climatic→socioeconomic mediators of the AL-CCA linkage whose effects are moderated by heterogeneous genetic and cultural adaptations to radiation and climate. Geography's cognitive effects are dynamic and public-policy actions may modify them.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	221-227
Number of pages	7
Journal	Intelligence
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011
State	Published - 1 May 2015
Externally published	Yes

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abstract = "{\textcopyright} 2015. Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-{\`a}-vis the weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set. Additive effects of absolute latitude (AL) and longitudinal distance from Homo sapiens' cradle (LDC) explain Northeastern Asian higher, Sub-Saharan African lower CCAs. AL exerts cognitive influence directly and through socioeconomic development and evolutionary genetics whereas LDC does through evolutionary genetics; however, this occurs differently in Africa-Near East-Europe and elsewhere. The findings are understood assuming supremacy of contemporary UVB radiation→hormonal and climatic→socioeconomic mediators of the AL-CCA linkage whose effects are moderated by heterogeneous genetic and cultural adaptations to radiation and climate. Geography's cognitive effects are dynamic and public-policy actions may modify them.",

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AU - León, Federico R.

AU - Burga-León, Andrés

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Y1 - 2015/5/1

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AB - © 2015. Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-à-vis the weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set. Additive effects of absolute latitude (AL) and longitudinal distance from Homo sapiens' cradle (LDC) explain Northeastern Asian higher, Sub-Saharan African lower CCAs. AL exerts cognitive influence directly and through socioeconomic development and evolutionary genetics whereas LDC does through evolutionary genetics; however, this occurs differently in Africa-Near East-Europe and elsewhere. The findings are understood assuming supremacy of contemporary UVB radiation→hormonal and climatic→socioeconomic mediators of the AL-CCA linkage whose effects are moderated by heterogeneous genetic and cultural adaptations to radiation and climate. Geography's cognitive effects are dynamic and public-policy actions may modify them.

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DO - 10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011

M3 - Article (Contribution to Journal)

SN - 0160-2896

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JO - Intelligence

JF - Intelligence

ER -

How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Abstract

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