Intelligence regresses to the mean

[Tigger]

Empirical studies show that intelligence regresses to the mean. The Wiki segment below (from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritability_of_IQ) shows the type of calculation that proves it using sampled data. So, if this is the case, and evolution has shown a marked demonstration of increase in brain size and function over time, why would intelligence not be increasing generally instead of lurking around our (frankly pitiful) mean? Obviously, in evolutionary terms such time spans as a few generations are meaningless, but why this trend?

[GenesForLife]

Cause we're now constrained by the size of the skull, which can increase no further?

[Tigger]

Cause we're now constrained by the size of the skull, which can increase no further?

Can't imagine that being the case, as there is plenty of scope within the brain for society to aspire to Einsteinian intellect. And that's not a happenin':

[GenesForLife]

Does the genetic makeup of the majority of the population allow for a capacity for such intelligence to be developed? Can we be certain that any possible genetic factors that may have influenced Einstein's intelligence are the norm today?

[Tigger]

If it were genetically constrained then surely there would be a general reduction in the intelligence of offspring with little possibility of an increase. What we see is when two parents of higher intellect (on average) have a child, the child is likely to be demonstrably less intelligent than that parental average. Conversely two less intelligent parents will be likely to have a more intelligent child than their average. Were there such genetic factors, the former case makes sense, but the genetic input from the latter two parents shouldn't allow their offspring to be more intelligent than they are.

[Azathoth]

It is fuck all to do with genetics. It is a combination of mindless tripe on the TV and a culture of intellectualism being a subject of ridicule.

[JimC]

No longer any selective bias towards greater survival and reproductive success based on intelligence...

In addition, possibly, excessive intelligence is accomanied by a tendency to obsession with some intellectual pursuit and ignoring reproductive chances, and very low intelligence will also have reproductive drawbacks, so we could have stabilising selection towards the mean...

[Dory]

Thank you, JimC. Makes much more sense than everyone else here.

[Tigger]

Q.E.D.

[Tigger]

And additionally we are not going to evolve into hyperintelligent beings because we are as a society concerned about looking after our fellow man (ok, or fucking woman, Dory ) regardless of ability and "value" to society. Great. Kill Everyone !11!!!!!!!1!11