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Intelligence, competitive altruism, and “clever silliness” may underlie bias in academe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 March 2017

Guy Madison ,
Edward Dutton  and
Charlotta Stern
Guy Madison
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Swedenguy.madison@psy.umu.sehttp://www.psy.umu.se/english/about-the-department/staff/?uid=guma0006
Edward Dutton
Affiliation:
Ulster institute for social research, London, UKecdutton@hotmail.com
Charlotta Stern
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, SE-114 18 Stockholm, Sweden. lotta.stern@sociology.su.sehttps://su.avedas.com/converis/person/4221
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Abstract

Why is social bias and its depressing effects on low-status or low-performing groups exaggerated? We show that the higher intelligence of academics has at best a very weak effect on reducing their bias, facilitates superficially justifying their biases, and may make them better at understanding the benefits of social conformity in general and competitive altruism specifically. We foresee a surge in research examining these mechanisms and recommend, meanwhile, reviving and better observing scientific ideals.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e9
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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