How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Federico R. León; Andrés Burga-León

doi:10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011

How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Federico R. León, Andrés Burga-León

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

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 UV_B 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.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	221-227
Number of pages	7
Journal	Intelligence
Volume	50
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011
State	Published - 1 May 2015

Keywords

Complex cognitive ability
Evolution
Geography
UVB radiation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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title = "How geography influences complex cognitive ability",

abstract = "Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-{\`a}-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.",

keywords = "Complex cognitive ability, Evolution, Geography, UVB radiation",

author = "Le{\'o}n, {Federico R.} and Andr{\'e}s Burga-Le{\'o}n",

note = "Funding Information: Funds for this research were provided by the Vicerrectorado de Investigaci{\'o}n through the Research Center at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), Lima, Peru . We are indebted to Romain Wacziarg for making available to us the Spolaore-Wacziarg tables on genetic distance and Edvard Avil{\'e}s for comments to an earlier version of the paper. FRL designed the study, drafted the manuscript, performed part of the analyses, and interpreted the findings. ABL performed the path analyses and approved the manuscript. The data set utilized in the research has been positioned at USIL's Repository and can be accessed through the following link: http://repositorio.usil.edu.pe/jspui/handle/123456789/1038 . Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.intell.2015.04.011",

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PY - 2015/5/1

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N2 - 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.

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How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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