The Bell Curve (Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray)

"The Bell Curve," by Herrnstein and Murray, argues that intelligence, measured by IQ, influences many aspects of life like education, jobs, income, and social stability. It suggests that IQ scores tend to follow a normal distribution, or a bell-shaped curve, with most people around the average and fewer at the extremes. The book also discusses how genetic and environmental factors shape intelligence and explores implications for societal policy. It emphasizes the importance of understanding cognitive differences to address social inequalities, while generating significant debate about the role of genetics and environment in shaping individual and group outcomes.