Richard Lynn, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Ulster [UK], is no stranger to controversy, having argued that differences in intelligence are linked to race and gender. Now he has upset the Italians, claiming that the South of Italy is less developed than the North because its inhabitants are less intelligent.
In his paper, entitled, “In Italy north-south differences in IQ predict differences in income, education, infant mortality, stature and literacy” and published in the psychology journal Intelligence [vol 38, no 1, 2010] Lynn states that the IQ levels of the population of Italy decrease as one travels south, with the Sicilians being the least intelligent of all Italians the most intelligent, according to Lynn, live in the Fruili area. Lynn writes that the reason may be that Southerners have a “genetic admixture with populations from the Near East and North Africa.”
You may imagine the disdain with which this news has been greeted in Italy: Corriere della Sera reports that Lynn’s theories would not be out of place in a racist pamphlet while La Repubblica publishes a list of high-achieving Southerners. Roberto Cubelli, President of the Italian Association of Psychologists, criticises Lynn’s theories as being seriously flawed, for his methodology and for poor psychometrics [the means by which a person’s education and psychological characteristics can be measured]. Mr Cubelli also points out the dangers of Lynn’s theories, which could lead to racist behaviour in individuals or politically.
Neapolitan politician Amedeo Laboccetta has called Lynn a “poor, ignorant man” and has offered him a free stay in the South, so that he can explain his therories in person to the people he has insulted.
What would you like to say to Richard Lynn?
