Men have higher IQ than women, UWO Prof and study says
WATERLOO, Ont. (CUP) -- Men hold an IQ advantage of 3.66 points over women, according to the results of a controversial new study published in the scholastic journal Intelligence.
After analyzing the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores of 100,000 men and women, the study found that the male IQ advantage was present throughout different ethnic groups and in all socioeconomic levels.
One of the study's key authors is John Phillipe Rushton, right, a psychology professor at the University of Western Ontario. Rushton stated that while comparative gender studies concerning intelligence have been done in the past, this was the first large-scale study of adult men and women.
He added the results dispel the previously held belief that despite leanings towards different academic subjects, women and men have the same mental ability when averaged out.
Rushton has been quoted as saying it was "very likely" that women's inferior intelligence is the cause of the glass ceiling -- the theory that women have difficulty in accessing high-level management positions for no apparent reason.
The professor is adamant that he was “misunderstood," and said the glass-ceiling effect is caused by "a number of different factors."
"Women are actually superior to men, on average, in conscientiousness," said Rushton. "Women do better than men in university and in many jobs because they're more reliable, they do their homework, and they show up on time. They're probably more socially intelligent than men."
While Rushton said he believes the 3.66-point IQ difference has no real bearing in most areas of academics or professions, he added it may be a significant discovery in explaining why so few women are involved in fields such as astrophysics, mathematics, or engineering.
Karen Rudie, a professor of computer engineering at Queen's University, disagrees that intellectual disadvantages have anything to do with why there are less women studying these subjects.
"The whole organization of science and mathematics is male-centred. If we agree that there are cultural and physiological differences between men and women, then any infrastructure that does not take into account these differences makes it harder for women to succeed in that setting," said Rudie.
"If people really felt it were desirable to have women in the sciences and engineering, then people would be asking 'How can we make this happen', not 'What excuse can we give for why it hasn't happened yet or for why it isn't possible for it to happen?'"
Over the past few decades, Rushton's theories about intellectual superiorities between different ethnic groups and the genders have drawn heavy criticism from members of both the academic community and the general public.
In one particularly famous incident in 1989, the British-born researcher and scientific journalist was challenged to a public debate by prominent scientist and environmental activist David Suzuki.
Suzuki was infuriated after Rushton published a study comparing the intelligence of different races.
"His claims must be denounced and his methodology discredited . . . this is not science," said an emotional Suzuki during the CBC-televised event. Suzuki also called for Rushton's termination from the University of Western Ontario.
Rushton understands that his research is not popular, but he harbours no regrets about his work or how he's presented it.
"Political correctness is completely incorrect from a biological point of view -- it's just untrue and a violation of reality," said Rushton.
Rushton, 63, argues that many people in society champion the notion of "embracing diversity" but hypocritically denounce anything that indicates actual differences between ethnicities and gender.
"We all recognize that some of our siblings are prettier than others, or more socially charming, or more athletic or more artistic," he said. "We just accept this -- we don't expect everybody to be the same."
"Somehow when it comes to IQ scores or crime rates, we're living the lie.”
After analyzing the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores of 100,000 men and women, the study found that the male IQ advantage was present throughout different ethnic groups and in all socioeconomic levels.
One of the study's key authors is John Phillipe Rushton, right, a psychology professor at the University of Western Ontario. Rushton stated that while comparative gender studies concerning intelligence have been done in the past, this was the first large-scale study of adult men and women.
He added the results dispel the previously held belief that despite leanings towards different academic subjects, women and men have the same mental ability when averaged out.
Rushton has been quoted as saying it was "very likely" that women's inferior intelligence is the cause of the glass ceiling -- the theory that women have difficulty in accessing high-level management positions for no apparent reason.
The professor is adamant that he was “misunderstood," and said the glass-ceiling effect is caused by "a number of different factors."
"Women are actually superior to men, on average, in conscientiousness," said Rushton. "Women do better than men in university and in many jobs because they're more reliable, they do their homework, and they show up on time. They're probably more socially intelligent than men."
While Rushton said he believes the 3.66-point IQ difference has no real bearing in most areas of academics or professions, he added it may be a significant discovery in explaining why so few women are involved in fields such as astrophysics, mathematics, or engineering.
Karen Rudie, a professor of computer engineering at Queen's University, disagrees that intellectual disadvantages have anything to do with why there are less women studying these subjects.
"The whole organization of science and mathematics is male-centred. If we agree that there are cultural and physiological differences between men and women, then any infrastructure that does not take into account these differences makes it harder for women to succeed in that setting," said Rudie.
"If people really felt it were desirable to have women in the sciences and engineering, then people would be asking 'How can we make this happen', not 'What excuse can we give for why it hasn't happened yet or for why it isn't possible for it to happen?'"
Over the past few decades, Rushton's theories about intellectual superiorities between different ethnic groups and the genders have drawn heavy criticism from members of both the academic community and the general public.
In one particularly famous incident in 1989, the British-born researcher and scientific journalist was challenged to a public debate by prominent scientist and environmental activist David Suzuki.
Suzuki was infuriated after Rushton published a study comparing the intelligence of different races.
"His claims must be denounced and his methodology discredited . . . this is not science," said an emotional Suzuki during the CBC-televised event. Suzuki also called for Rushton's termination from the University of Western Ontario.
Rushton understands that his research is not popular, but he harbours no regrets about his work or how he's presented it.
"Political correctness is completely incorrect from a biological point of view -- it's just untrue and a violation of reality," said Rushton.
Rushton, 63, argues that many people in society champion the notion of "embracing diversity" but hypocritically denounce anything that indicates actual differences between ethnicities and gender.
"We all recognize that some of our siblings are prettier than others, or more socially charming, or more athletic or more artistic," he said. "We just accept this -- we don't expect everybody to be the same."
"Somehow when it comes to IQ scores or crime rates, we're living the lie.”
