Verified answer

One problem is that many traits are heritable. That simply means that the quality of the offspring tends to resemble the same quality in the parents. So: smart parents --> higher chance of smart kids.

A second problem is that many people tend to pick partners that resemble their opposite sex parent and tend to select partners relatively close to home. So, if you look at heritable traits and partner selection, if there is any difference in the initial level of some trait--say, intelligence--and there isn't a major selective pressure on it, over time you will tend to get a collection of population-specific differences just by random.

Except--in some cases--you can argue there is a selective pressure at work.

So, the fact there are differences in heritable traits between populations of people that reliably (90%+ of the time) select partners from their own population shouldn't be surprising at all. Additionally, it shouldn't be surprising when you get extraordinary examples with high levels of some trait (like intelligence) when partners are selected for that trait.

The only problem with arguing a pure environmental influence for many of the differences are a consistent measure of heritability for many of these traits in twin studies. While environment does have some impact on these traits, it doesn't fit the pattern of the differences and there are a number of studies that are finding actual genetic differences that produce a much more predictive model than a pure environmental effect.

So, are there differences?

In many traits, yes.

Does pointing them out make people very uncomfortable?

Very much so in some circles because there's no easy, fair "fix" for them.

Does this mean one race is better or worse than another?

That really depends on the environment, the trait, and the specific situation. However, variability within many of the behavioral traits (i.e. the ones we tend to attribute "better" or "worse" to) tends to mean individuals still lie within a range that allows most people to accomplish what they need to do to succeed...

Good luck, eh?

Personally, I do not think so. I believe it has to do with environment, etc. but your question made me think about some things. I do know in NYC, The Natural History Museum head is a Black man ( also has a science show on PBS) , we have black professors in college, black astronauts and in other qualified areas BUT are there any well-known Black geniuses? I know we have very, very highly qualified black public servants such as Condoleeza Rice, Justice Thurgood Marshall , Winston Marsailes (music) & other major principals; but are there any famous inventors or well-known, outstanding innovators ? Just curious. I believe all races are equal given the same enviroments including nutrition & eucational & economical opportunities.

This topic is politically charged, so you will get conflicting answers. What's best for you to do is to read these studies, make your own observations, compare it to other research, and then decide for yourself.

A lot of research was done in this area in the past, such as the famous book "The Bell Curve." People will say that it is outmoded or out of date thinking, but you can examine their research and methods and decide whether they had an agenda or not.

I'm of the opinion that there are groups differences in IQ, and they do have a genetic basis. It's hard to adhere to such an opinion because of politics. However I find it simple and that it explains a lot. Statistics are based on averages, and you will find a lot of people arguing that exceptions disqualify the trends. However, if IQ is a genetic trait for individuals, it only makes sense that it could be one for groups.

Unfortunately, some of that stuff is true. This is a sociological question. People who live in poorer neighborhoods within cities tend to be black, and therefor they can be forced into a life of violence in order to survive. On the other hand, this may be a stereotype that causes black people to get arrested more often, causing the appearance of more violence in black communities than white.

Yes Im black and it is true, when a group of humans or animal is suppress for so long they start to develop issues. Like in the human species those issues can result in violence, insecurity, hatered and aggression.

Some is some isn't, the real BS is mainly drawing conslusions from statistics