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Cited by 25Cognitive Abilities and TestingRace, Genetics, and SocietyGenetic Associations and Epidemiology

Biogeographic Ancestry, Cognitive Ability and Socioeconomic Outcomes

Open access
Kirkegaard, Emil, Woodley of Menie, Michael, Williams, Robert, Fuerst, John, Meisenberg, Gerhard·2019·Psych
DOI 10.3390/psych1010001
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Abstract

The cause(s) of ubiquitous cognitive differences between American self-identified racial/ethnic groups (SIREs) is uncertain. Evolutionary-genetic models posit that ancestral genetic selection pressures are the ultimate source of these differences. Conversely, sociological models posit that these differences result from racial discrimination. To examine predictions based on these models, we conducted a global admixture analysis using data from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics Study (PING; N = 1,369 American children). Specifically, we employed a standard methodology of genetic epidemiology to determine whether genetic ancestry significantly predicts cognitive ability, independent of SIRE. In regression models using four different codings for SIRE as a covariate, we found incremental relationships between genetic ancestry and both general cognitive ability and parental socioeconomic status (SES). The relationships between global ancestry and cognitive ability were partially attenuated when parental SES was added as a predictor and when cognitive ability was the outcome. Moreover, these associations generally held when subgroups were analyzed separately. Our results are congruent with evolutionary-genetic models of group differences and with certain environmental models that mimic the predictions of evolutionary-genetic ones. Implications for research on race/ethnic differences in the Americas are discussed, as are methods for further exploring the matter.

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Crossref · 10.3390/psych1010001

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  • Kirkegaard et al. found that European ancestry was associated with g among self-identified African Americans (r = 0.20, N = 225) and Hispanic Americans (r = 0.23, N = 328).

    “They found that European ancestry was associated with g among both self-identified African and Hispanic Americans (respectively, r = 0.20, N = 225; r = 0.23, N = 328; Tables S10-S11).”

    From Global Ancestry and Cognitive Ability (2019) · cites this paper as [24]

  • While statistical mediation by PGS scores suggests genetic factors may be involved, we cannot rule out many types of confounding environmental variables with this research design.

    “While the statistical mediation by PGS scores suggests that genetic factors may be involved, as discussed in detail by Kirkegaard et al. [24], we cannot rule out many types of confounding environmental variables with this research design.”

    From Global Ancestry and Cognitive Ability (2019) · cites this paper as [24]

  • We found a strong, significant association between European genetic ancestry and cognitive ability, confirming recent results of Kirkegaard et al. and Warne.

    “We, however, found a strong, significant association between European genetic ancestry and cognitive ability, confirming the recent results of both Kirkegaard et al. [24] and Warne [25].”

    From Global Ancestry and Cognitive Ability (2019) · cites this paper as [24]

  • Our study goes beyond Kirkegaard et al. and Warne in that we established both SFI and weak form of Spearman's hypothesis regarding African-/European-American difference.

    “Our study goes beyond those of Kirkegaard et al. [24]) and Warne [25]) in that we (as with Hu et al. [17]) established both SFI and the weak form of Spearman's hypothesis regarding the African-/European-American difference.”

    From Global Ancestry and Cognitive Ability (2019) · cites this paper as [24]

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Works this paper cites that were later retracted, from the retraction notices publishers deposit. Major when the notice came out before this paper was published.

  • Cites a retracted work: 10.1098/rspb.2010.0973

    Info

    The cited work was retracted on 2024-03-06 (notice 10.1098/rspb.2024.0463), not before this paper was published (2019-01-10).

    Cited work 10.1098/rspb.2010.0973 · retracted 2024-03-06 · notice 10.1098/rspb.2024.0463 · this paper published 2019-01-10

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Lynn, R. (2015). Race Differences in Intelligence (Revised Edition), Washington Summit Publishers.

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Authors
Kirkegaard, E., Woodley of Menie, M., Williams, R., Fuerst, J., & Meisenberg, G.
Affiliations
  • University of Ulster (GB)
  • Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Krijgskundestraat 33, B-1160, Brussels, Belgium
  • Independent researcher
Corresponding author
Kirkegaard, Emil
ORCID
Venue
Psych
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2019-01-10
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
1-25
ISSN
2624-8611 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/psych1010001
OpenAlex
W2908893677
Cited by
25
References
100
Citations by year
2024: 2 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 8
FWCI
4.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psych (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • University of California, San Diego (RC2DA029475)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (RC2DA029475)
  • National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (RC2DA029475)
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (RC2DA029475)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Race, Genetics, and Society
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Keywords
genetic ancestry, cognitive ability, socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic differences, admixture analysis, evolutionary genetics, racial discrimination, children

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