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The Relationship between Solar Radiation and IQ in the United Kingdom
Noah Carl
Published: 2018/06/01
Abstract
In their target article, León and Antonelli-Ponti propose that regions of countries subject to higher levels of UV radiation tend to have lower average IQs. They cite supporting evidence from Italy, the United States and Brazil. The present comment tests their theory using data from the United Kingdom. Contrary to the theory, average IQ among white British is higher in the southern regions of the country, where solar radiation is more intense. In fact, the cross-regional correlation between intensity of solar radiation and average IQ among white British is positive. León and Antonelli-Ponti’s theory is therefore incapable of explaining regional IQ differences in the UK.
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