The Bell Curve (Richard Herrnstein, Charles Murray)

"The Bell Curve," by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray, argues that intelligence, often measured by IQ, plays a significant role in determining socioeconomic outcomes like education, occupation, and income. They suggest that IQ scores tend to follow a normal distribution (a bell curve), with most people scoring average. The book discusses how intelligence differences are influenced by both genetics and environment, and how these differences relate to societal disparities. Critics argue it oversimplifies complex issues and emphasizes biology over social factors. Overall, the book aims to explore the links between intelligence, behavior, and social stratification.