[extropy-chat] IQ [WAS:morons in office]

[Kevin Freels]

Here's an interesting link I received on another message board:
Intelligence tests with higher g-loadings show higher correlations with body
symmetry: Evidence for a general fitness factor mediated by developmental
stability
Mark D. Prokosch, Ronald A. Yeo and Geoffrey F. Miller

Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
87131-1161, United States

Received 29 April 2004;  revised 20 July 2004;  accepted 22 July 2004.
Available online 5 October 2004.



Abstract
Just as body symmetry reveals developmental stability at the morphological
level, general intelligence may reveal developmental stability at the level
of brain development and cognitive functioning. These two forms of
developmental stability may overlap by tapping into a "general fitness
factor." If so, then intellectual tests with higher g-loadings should show
higher correlations with a composite measure of body symmetry. We tested
this prediction in 78 young males by measuring their left-right symmetry at
10 body points, and by administering five cognitive tests with diverse
g-loadings. As predicted, we found a significant (z=3.64, p<0.003)
relationship between each test's rank order g-loading and its body symmetry
association. We also found a substantial correlation (r=0.39, p<0.01)
between body symmetry and our most highly g-loaded test (Ravens Advanced
Progressive Matrices). General intelligence is apparently a valid indicator
of general developmental stability and heritable fitness, which may partly
explain its social and sexual attractiveness.

Keywords: Intelligence; g-loadings; Body symmetry



Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 505 277 4121; fax: +1 505 277 1394.


Address:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W4M-4DGDG78-1&_coverDate=10%2F05%2F2004&_alid=208916661&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=6546&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7f5a6718755b3fe26a6f4729976efca1