Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T09:50:00.233Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Assortative mating for IQ: a multivariate approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

C. G. N. Mascie-Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Anthropology, University of Cambridge
J. L. Boldsen
Affiliation:
Department of Theoretical Statistics, University of Aarhus, Denmark

Summary

This paper examines the similarity between husbands and wives at the IQ subtest level, using seven tests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. There was some evidence for sex differences; husbands scored higher than their wives on three of the subtests. After logarithmic transformation of some subtests the data were shown to be consistent with multivariate normality. A simplified covariance matrix was produced. Principal component analysis revealed an underlying general ability factor but there was no simple division into verbal and into performance components as would be expected from the IQ test structure. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that there were highly variable contributions to spousal associations. The major contributors were, in decreasing order of importance, due to similarities, vocabulary, digit symbol and block design tests. One subtest, comprehension, made no overt contribution.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Boldsen, J.L. & Sørensen, M. (1982) The Usefulness of Tests for Multivariate Normality in Physical Anthropology. Research Report 84. Department of Theoretical Statistics, University of Aarhus.Google Scholar
Burks, B.S. (1928) The relative influence of nature and nurture upon mental development: a comparative study of foster parent–foster child resemblance and true parent–true child resemblance. Yb. natn. Soc. Stud. Educ. 27, 219.Google Scholar
Cox, D.R. & Small, N.J.H. (1978) Testing multivariate normality. Biometrika, 65, 263.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eckland, B.K. (1970) New mating boundaries in education. Social Biol. 17, 267.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Freeman, F.N., Holzinger, J. & Mitchell, B.C. (1928) The influence of the environment on the intelligence, school achievement and conduct of foster children. Yb. natn. Soc. Stud. Educ. 27, 103.Google Scholar
Halperin, S. L. (1946) Human heredity and mental deficiency. Am. J. ment. Defic. 51, 153.Google ScholarPubMed
Harrison, G.A., Gibson, J.B. & Hiorns, R.W. (1976) Assortative marriage for psychometric, personality and anthropometric variation in a group of Oxfordshire villages. J. biosoc. Sci. 8, 145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hutt, C. (1972) Neuroendocrinological, behavioural and intellectual aspects of sexual differentiation in human development. In: Gender Differences, Their Ontogeny and Significance. Edited by Ounsted, C. and Taylor, D. C.. Churchill Livingstone, London.Google Scholar
Mascie-Taylor, C.G.N. & Gibson, J.B. (1978) Social mobility and IQ components. J. biosoc. Sci. 10, 263CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mascie-Taylor, C.G.N. & Gibson, J.B. (1979) A biological survey of a Cambridge suburb: assortative marriage for IQ and personality traits. Ann. hum. Biol. 6, 1.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roberts, D.F. (1977) Assortative mating in man: Husband/wife correlations in physical characteristics. Eugen. Bull. Suppl. 2.Google Scholar
Smith, M. (1941) Similarities of marriage partners in intelligence. Am. sociol. Rev. 6, 697.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spuhler, J.N. (1968) Assortative mating with respect to physical traits. Eugen. Q. 15, 128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vandenburg, S.G. (1972) Assortative mating or who marries whom? Behav. Genet. 2, 127.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wechsler, R.D. (1949) The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Psychological Corporation, New York.Google Scholar
Wechsler, R.D. (1958) The Measurement and Appraisal of Adult Intelligence, 4th edn.Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.Google Scholar