There Might Be a Correlation Between How Smart and How Not Racist You Are
Intelligence tests are not just a measure of your intelligence but might also reveal something about your level of racial understanding. A recent study, featured in the Washington Post, suggests that individuals who score higher on intelligence tests are more likely to comprehend racial equality and less likely to embrace racial stereotypes.
This study, published in the journal Social Problems, analyzed data from the General Social Survey (GSS), a project that has been monitoring the attitudes of Americans on social and policy issues since 1972. The GSS, funded by the National Science Foundation and conducted by the University of Chicago’s NORC research organization, collected responses from individuals from various economic and social backgrounds.
While the results of the study do highlight some disparities, they are not exactly cause for celebration. Educated individuals were less inclined to hold racist views, but still hesitated to support policies that address racial inequality. It seems that they appreciate people of color, but are either unwilling to take action, such as advocating for affirmative action or economic redistribution, or lack confidence in the government’s ability to effectively implement programs that promote the success of people of color.
The study uncovered some unsettling statistics:
- 46% of individuals who scored low on intelligence tests described black people as lazy, compared to 29% of those who scored higher.
- 23% of low scorers described black people as unintelligent, while only 13% of high scorers shared this perception.
- 35% of low scorers and 24% of high scorers admitted they would not want black people as their neighbors.
- 47% of low-scoring individuals opposed the idea of a black person marrying into their family, whereas only 28% of high-scoring individuals shared this sentiment.
Surprisingly, when it came to affirmative action in employment, only 12% of respondents, regardless of their education level, expressed support for it. Regarding laws against discrimination, there was some disparity, with 55% of “smart” individuals in favor compared to 48% of low scorers. However, the study’s author did not consider this difference significant when considering other demographic factors like education level.
It is essential to note that various factors can influence people’s attitudes on race, including socioeconomic status, access to education, and proximity to people of color. When combined with the insights from this study, a more comprehensive understanding emerges.
