LESSONS FROM THE BELL CURVE

This paper examines the argument presented in The Bell Curve. A centra l argument is that one factor-g-accounts for correlation across test s cores and performance in society. Another central argument is that g c annot be manipulated. These arguments are combined to claim that socia l policies designed to improve social performance cannot be effective. A reanalysis of the evidence contradicts this story. The factors that explain wages receive different weights than the factors that explain test scores. More than g is required to explain either. Other factors besides g contribute to social performance, and they can be manipulat ed.