Hunt, E.(2010) Human intelligence, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

This amazing book was written to diffuse much of the tension dealing with intelligence. Over the years, a portion of the political Right maintained that Caucasians are naturally the brightest people in the world. Since then Jared Diamond and others have pushed back with the impact of history and the environment on intelligence of minorities. Further, the Right overlooks the intellectual capacities of a number of Asians and Jews. Although Jews are Mid-Eastern Caucasians, Asians are clearly not White.
Hunt’s thesis is that intelligence is still a new research methodology or science, but that the evidence so far is that intellectual capabilities appear to be a mixture of “word” (environment) and biology. Thus order is “social” rather than “natural. ” After the introduction, the author cascades over the last 100 years of research, methods, strategies and related in terms of what is meant by IQ. For the moment, one must accept the authenticity and validity of meta-analysis , Gaussian statistics, and hard number theory. Thus IQ is a measurable component of how smart that you are and that intelligence is measurable.

Depending on one’s perspective, if IQ is the basis for social stratification , all of us live in a “natural order.” If one takes into account environment, diet, stress oriented families , crime, and neighborhoods, as well as other environmental variables, we dwell in a “social order.” The author is quite forthcoming and allows the reader to know his biases, but affords his opposites a great deal of space in the book. He writes in first person and this prodigious work still has a comfortable “feel” for the consumer.
There is a thorough summary of the various demographics of IQ. Age is not that far apart if the elderly use the tricks of memory and reasoning. Sex is another surprise, women have caught up they do better on verbal than spatial when compared to males. In terms of race and ethnicity, Blacks appear to be improving. Asians and Jews score at the top of IQ ranks.
Roughly 50% of IQ is biological. However, studies of those with really outstanding IQ’s found years later that many had good jobs, but not as high as one would expect. In other words, one would assume that those with high scores to automatically move to the top. This not the case. CEO’s should score at the top. They don’t. They need to be well above average, but that is it. However, when it comes to reasoning, selling, manipulating, and formulating leadership a top IQ score is not necessary.
So what do IQ numbers mean? The very top is 200 points. Average is 100 points. CEO’s have 110 to 115. Most of us have between 85 to 115. The beginning of the top 1% is 135. David Letterman’s IQ is 103 and as a famous comedian he enhances his average intelligence and is quite famous for his quick wit and wealth. Thus it not all intelligence, it must be accompanied by good mental health, social skills, demeanor, and decision making. The most important finding from this reviewer’s findings is that Blacks raised in an intelligent environment are moving up. Further, there really is room for the concept of social construction of race. Your white neighbor may really have Black heritage. Nearly a quarter of Whites have Black backgrounds at some level. Further, 70% of Blacks have white heritage.
This reviewer wanted the author to give more time to Jared Diamonds observations of where groups were located, who had the first metal and weapons, and who went through huge die-offs so that when they went exploring for slaves, they had great immune systems. Further, their diseases quickly killed the groups they were trying to conquer. These enslaved groups and ancestors usually have lower IQ’s after they have been taken over.
One would also want more discussion of real world multiple skills. Buy the book and save one for your library and have each student purchase one. Cambridge Press is an outstanding educational corporation and their publications are usually thought to desirable and prestigious.
Hunt won over this reviewer to his presentation in printed form. Accolades are due.
Prof. Joel C. Snell
Emeritus
Kirkwood College