Research on IQ, Race, and Delinquency - Taboo or Not Taboo? (From Taboos in Criminology, P 37-66, 1980, Edward Sagarin, ed. - See NCJ-76968)

• NCJ Number: 76970
• Author(s): R A Gordon
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The nature of the author's involvement in research on intelligence quotients (IQ's), race, and delinquency is considered, and the author's perception of reaction from the scientific community is presented, followed by an assessment of some of the reasons why his research topics are considered taboo.

Abstract

The author's research grew from his theoretical hypothesis that social disability (interpersonal and intellectual handicaps) is inversely related to social class. The inability of the socially disabled to function in a normative complex society was theorized to stimulate delinquency, the adoption of deviant behavior or a subculture where social rewards can be gained from handicaps preventing satisfying participation in normative society. This led to an examination of delinquency statistics (official and self-report), IQ characteristics of delinquents, and race of delinquents. Research into the genetic correlates of social disability and delinquency was not well received by the scientific community, as evidenced by the numerous rejections of even the data findings by scientific journals. Such research is generally considered taboo even by scientists because it raised the issue of genetic and social inferiority by race or ethnicity. Research that might conceivably lead to even a hint of intelectual or social inferiority in any race or group brings to mind the efforts of Nazis to identify and eradicate those groups deemed obstacles to the establishment of a superior social and political order. Attempts at genocide in Nazi Germany, as well as in other periods of history, however, have generally been perpetrated by those intellectually inferior against those who were superior. There is no documented instance where scientific findings that show below average IQ in any particular race or group have been used to fuel genocide attempts. There is no justification, therefore, for not recognizing research on IQ, race, and delinquency or on any other topic. About 80 references are provided.