Exploring the intricate relationship between crime and human behavior, this comprehensive study delves into the psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to criminal activity. It offers insights into the motivations behind crime and examines how various influences shape human nature, making it a crucial resource for understanding the complexities of criminal behavior.
Published in 1994, The Bell Curve caused uproar. Herrnstein and Murray claim that intelligence is the key factor in determining success in life. They also claim that it is genetic - you either have it or you don't - and that some ethnic groups are more intelligent than others. Herrnstein and Murray argue that black Americans are one of the most disadvantaged groups in American society not because of unjust social and economic systems or a history of oppression. Statistically, they say, black Americans live impoverished lives simply because they lack the intelligence to advance themselves. Liberals raged against these ideas, while conservatives praised the authors for voicing important, if controversial, arguments. Book jacket.