I would like to propose my new social theory and get your feedback on it. This is based on 20 years of dealing with groups of people.
THEORY: The collective IQ of a group can be determined by taking the average IQ of the group, and then subtracting from that number 1/3 of the difference in IQ between the average, and the average of the lower 50 percent of the group.
As an example, if the average IQ is 100, and the lowest half of the people in the group had an average IQ of 70, then this theory says that the group collective IQ will be 90.
This theory reflects the fact that the intelligent people in a group who are above the average are hindered from solving problems rapidly and correctly by the influence and disturbance caused by the people with intelligence below average. In other words they cancel each other out, but intrinsic survival instinct and work drive progress slowly forward. The theory also accounts for the disproportionate influence of those who are truly mentally disabled in society. They take a large percentage of the time of the most intelligent because the severely disabled constantly create problems they are not able to solve themselves. It is much easier to destroy than to build. This reflects the laws of thermodynamics.
True genius is occasionally recognized and the survival instinct drives everyone to adopt a more efficient form of living once the truly intelligent have figured it out. This drives society forward long term. However, in the immediate term, the group IQ can be approximately calculated using this theory.
THEORY: The collective IQ of a group can be determined by taking the average IQ of the group, and then subtracting from that number 1/3 of the difference in IQ between the average, and the average of the lower 50 percent of the group.
As an example, if the average IQ is 100, and the lowest half of the people in the group had an average IQ of 70, then this theory says that the group collective IQ will be 90.
This theory reflects the fact that the intelligent people in a group who are above the average are hindered from solving problems rapidly and correctly by the influence and disturbance caused by the people with intelligence below average. In other words they cancel each other out, but intrinsic survival instinct and work drive progress slowly forward. The theory also accounts for the disproportionate influence of those who are truly mentally disabled in society. They take a large percentage of the time of the most intelligent because the severely disabled constantly create problems they are not able to solve themselves. It is much easier to destroy than to build. This reflects the laws of thermodynamics.
True genius is occasionally recognized and the survival instinct drives everyone to adopt a more efficient form of living once the truly intelligent have figured it out. This drives society forward long term. However, in the immediate term, the group IQ can be approximately calculated using this theory.