Bell Curve (The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life)

"The Bell Curve," a book by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray, argues that intelligence, measured by IQ tests, is a significant factor influencing many aspects of life, including education, income, and social behavior. They suggest that IQ scores tend to follow a bell-shaped distribution—most people have average intelligence, with fewer individuals at the very high or low ends. The authors discuss how intelligence is partly inherited and argue that differences in IQ contribute to social and economic inequalities. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding how cognitive abilities impact individual and societal outcomes, sparking ongoing debate about genetics, environment, and social policy.