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by scott_paul 2435 days ago
If the combination of high intelligence and high drive generally leads to gaining more wealth, and if those qualities are generally highly heritable, then we should expect rich kids to, on average, inherit their parents' intelligence and drive, and so do well in things that require intelligence and drive, such as school & work.

But that leads to other uncomfortable questions, that we'd all rather not discuss. And so, we desperately search for other answers.
2 comments
godelski 2435 days ago
While it is possible for that to be true, I think the general consensus is that it isn't. AFAIK there is a higher correlation between the school that one is placed in than the genetics. Evidenced by placing young low income children into schools that are generally attended by the wealthy tend to do much better in life. But there's always a clear correlation to health and future potential earnings to parents' wealth. I don't think there's enough genetic variation here, so it seems extremely reasonable that the causation here is environmental (i.e. growing up with more resources and advantages leads - unsurprisingly - to a better financial outcome).
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perl4ever 2435 days ago
It reminds me of how gas stations generally having the same prices can be interpreted in two ways:

1) Competition is almost perfect, so they are forced to sell at the market price.

2) Competition is almost non-existent, so they are forced to sell at the monopoly price agreed upon.

As far as the questions people debate about upbringing and resources, wouldn't (identical) twin studies be the way to go if you really want to know?

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AstralStorm 2434 days ago
The most interesting yet uncomfortable of those is whether the regression towards mean drags everyone else up (as weakest actors are removed) or the kids of the rich down?

What's the magnitude of chance? Or of inherited genetics rather than social standing and wealth?

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