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

*The Bell Curve* by Herrnstein and Murray argues that intelligence, measured by IQ, is a significant factor in social and economic outcomes. It presents data suggesting that IQ varies among individuals and groups, influencing their educational attainment, job success, and social stability. The authors also discuss how intelligence is partly hereditary and how its distribution creates certain societal patterns. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences for policy but has been controversial for its approach to race, class, and intelligence, provoking debate about genetics, environment, and social cohesion.