Abstract
THE results of the Scottish Mental Survey1 presented a paradox which has been difficult to resolve. These results showed a small rise in mean intelligence test score in the eleven-year-old population over a period of fifteen years; but they also established the existence of a negative correlation between intelligence test score and family size—a tendency for intelligent children to be found in small families—which implies the danger of a possible decline in national intelligence, in so far as intelligence is inherited. Though the existence of this negative correlation has now been established, its cause is the subject of considerable controversy, and predictions of the future level of national intelligence depend on how far it can be attributed to a limiting of families by intelligent parents or to the depressive effect of a poor environment on the test scores of children from large families.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
“The Trend of Scottish Intelligence” (London, 1949).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NISBET, J. Level of National Intelligence. Nature 170, 852 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1038/170852a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/170852a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.