Fact Check: Did the Holocaust Raise Ashkenazi Jewish IQ?

Did the Holocaust Raise Ashkenazi Jewish IQ?

Introduction

The claim that the Holocaust may have raised Ashkenazi Jewish IQ is a controversial assertion that has emerged in discussions about the historical and genetic factors influencing intelligence within this group. This claim suggests that the traumatic events of the Holocaust could have inadvertently led to an increase in the average IQ of Ashkenazi Jews. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this assertion, critically evaluating the sources and methodologies involved.

What We Know

1. Historical Context: The Holocaust resulted in the systematic extermination of approximately six million Jews during World War II, which drastically reduced the population of Ashkenazi Jews in Europe. This demographic shift has led some researchers to speculate about its potential impact on the genetic and intellectual traits of the surviving population.

2. IQ Studies: Research has indicated that Ashkenazi Jews tend to score higher on IQ tests compared to other ethnic groups. For example, a study published in the Journal of Biosocial Science suggests that Ashkenazi Jews have an average IQ of 112-115, which is higher than the general European average. However, this data is contested, and the methodology of such studies is often scrutinized.

3. Genetic Factors: Some researchers propose that historical pressures, including persecution and discrimination, may have led to selective advantages in intelligence-related traits among Ashkenazi Jews. A paper in Scientific American discusses the idea that a genetic predisposition for higher intelligence may have developed due to these historical challenges.

4. Controversy and Criticism: The claim that the Holocaust raised Ashkenazi IQ is met with skepticism. Critics argue that attributing intelligence to genetic factors oversimplifies the complex interplay of environment, culture, and historical context. Furthermore, the claim risks reinforcing harmful stereotypes about Jewish intelligence and could be misused to justify prejudiced views.

Analysis

The sources available for this claim vary significantly in credibility and reliability:

• Academic Studies: Sources like the Journal of Biosocial Science and PubMed Central provide peer-reviewed research that discusses Ashkenazi IQ. However, the interpretation of data can be influenced by the authors' biases or agendas, particularly in controversial fields like intelligence research.

• Popular Science Articles: Publications such as Scientific American present findings in a more accessible format but may lack the depth of peer-reviewed studies. They often summarize complex research, which can lead to oversimplification.

• Opinion Pieces and Blogs: Articles from platforms like Substack or personal blogs may present unverified assertions or opinions rather than established facts. For instance, the Substack article titled "Did the Holocaust Raise Ashkenazi Jewish IQ?" appears to lack rigorous academic backing and relies heavily on speculation.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those that discuss intelligence in relation to ethnicity, may have underlying biases. For example, authors associated with controversial works like The Bell Curve have faced criticism for promoting ideas that could reinforce racial stereotypes.

Methodological Concerns

The methodologies used in studies assessing IQ among Ashkenazi Jews often involve small sample sizes or rely on historical data that may not accurately represent the current population. Additionally, the interpretation of IQ as a measure of intelligence is itself contentious, as it can be influenced by socio-economic factors, educational opportunities, and cultural biases inherent in the testing process.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the Holocaust raised Ashkenazi Jewish IQ is unsupported by credible evidence. While some studies suggest that Ashkenazi Jews have higher average IQ scores compared to other groups, attributing this to the Holocaust oversimplifies a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and environmental factors. The methodologies employed in the studies that support this claim are often criticized for their limitations, including small sample sizes and potential biases.

Moreover, the assertion risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misinterpretations of intelligence as a purely genetic trait. It is essential to approach such claims with skepticism and recognize the broader context of intelligence research, which is fraught with controversy and debate.

Readers should be aware of the limitations in the available evidence and critically evaluate the information presented in discussions about intelligence and ethnicity. The complexities of human intelligence cannot be reduced to simplistic narratives, and it is crucial to consider the multifaceted influences that shape it.

Sources

1. Are Jews Smarter Than Everyone Else? - PMC - PubMed Central (PMC) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3190562/
2. Intelligence differences between European and oriental Jews https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17052383/
3. Natural History of Ashkenazi Intelligence Gregory Cochran, Jason Hardy https://web.mit.edu/fustflum/documents/papers/AshkenaziIQ.jbiosocsci.pdf
4. Ashkenazi Jewish intelligence - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jewish_intelligence
5. A Jewish Gene for Intelligence? - Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-jewish-gene-for-intelligence/
6. Did the Holocaust Raise Ashkenazi Jewish IQ? https://sectionalismnotes.substack.com/p/did-the-holocaust-raise-ashkenazi
7. The 2011 Nobel Prize and the Debate over Jewish IQ https://www.aei.org/articles/the-2011-nobel-prize-and-the-debate-over-jewish-iq/
8. On the so-called “Jewish Question” https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/psychology/on-the-so-called-jewish-question/
9. Jews and Intelligence - Sefaria https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/619610
10. Intelligence, disease, prejudice — and Jewish skeletal remains in a Norwich well https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2022/12/06/part-i-intelligence-disease-prejudice-and-jewish-skeletal-remains-in-a-norwich-well/