Despite their important implications for interpersonal behaviors and
relations, cognitive abilities have been largely ignored as explanations
of prejudice.
We proposed and
tested mediation models in which lower cognitive ability predicts
greater prejudice, an effect mediated through the endorsement of
right-wing ideologies (social conservatism, right-wing authoritarianism)
and low levels of contact with out-groups.
In an analysis of
two large-scale, nationally representative United Kingdom data sets (N =
15,874), we found that lower general intelligence (g) in childhood
predicts greater racism in adulthood, and this effect was largely
mediated via conservative ideology.
A secondary analysis of a
U.S. data set confirmed a predictive effect of poor abstract-reasoning
skills on antihomosexual prejudice, a relation partially mediated by
both authoritarianism and low levels of intergroup contact. All analyses
controlled for education and socioeconomic status.
Our results
suggest that cognitive abilities play a critical, albeit
underappreciated, role in prejudice. Consequently, we recommend a
heightened focus on cognitive ability in research on prejudice and a
better integration of cognitive ability into prejudice models.
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