How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-à-vis the weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set. Additive effects...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: León Eyzaguirre, Federico R., Burga-León, Andrés
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:Perú
Recursos:Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola
Repositorio:USIL-Institucional
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.usil.edu.pe:20.500.14005/1588
Acesso em linha:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14005/1588
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palavra-chave:Evolution
Complex cognitive ability
Geography
Radiación solar
Descrição
Resumo:Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-à-vis the weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set. Additive effects of absolute latitude (AL) and longitudinal distance from Homo sapiens' cradle (LDC) explain Northeastern Asian higher, Sub-Saharan African lower CCAs. AL exerts cognitive influence directly and through socioeconomic development and evolutionary genetics whereas LDC does through evolutionary genetics; however, this occurs differently in Africa-Near East-Europe and elsewhere. The findings are understood assuming supremacy of contemporary UVB radiation → hormonal and climatic → socioeconomic mediators of the AL–CCA linkage whose effects are moderated by heterogeneous genetic and cultural adaptations to radiation and climate. Geography's cognitive effects are dynamic and public-policy actions may modify them.