Why Do Northeast Asians Win So Few Nobel Prizes?

Abstract

Most scientifi c discoveries have originated from Europe, and Europeans have won 20 times more Nobel Prizes than have Northeast Asians. We argue that this is explained not by IQ, but by interracial personality diff erences, underpinned by diff erences in gene distribution. In particular, the variance in scientifi c achievement is explained by diff erences in inquisitiveness (DRD4 7-repeat), psychological stability (5HTTLPR long form), and individualism (mu-opioid receptor gene; OPRM1 G allele ). Northeast Asians tend to be lower in these psychological traits, which we argue are necessary for exceptional scientifi c accomplishments. Since these traits comprise a positive matrix, we constructed a q index (measuring curiosity) from these gene frequencies among world populations. It is found that both IQ scores and q index contribute signifi cantly to the number of per capita Nobel Prizes.

National‐level Indicators of Androgens are Related to the Global Distribution of Scientific Productivity and Science Nobel Prizes

“…These findings might contribute to explaining the current global distribution of scientific discoveries and Nobel prizes (Murray, ) and can be added to a range of other explanations in the literature that have been advanced to explain this phenomenon, such as national‐level differences in general scientific curiosity (Kura et al., ), or personality profiles related to scientific discoveries (Dutton et al., ). Note that these alternative explanations are not inconsistent with the androgen hypothesis, as androgen levels are related to personality traits (e.g., Herbert, ; Zuckerman, ).…”

“…Note that these alternative explanations are not inconsistent with the androgen hypothesis, as androgen levels are related to personality traits (e.g., Herbert, 2015;Zuckerman, 2013). Thus, androgen levels may possibly be one of the more fundamental causes for differences in traits as described in previous research Kura et al, 2015). This is further supported by a large body of research showing that androgens such as testosterone are associated with status seeking and competitiveness (see Herbert, 2015, for a review).…”

“…Save for direct and trivial effects, such that it may be more difficult to work if it is very hot, these factors are believed to exert their influence through the individual. Achievement and creativity are commonly seen as the products of ability, effort, and opportunity, which obviously include both individual, cultural and economic influences (Hart, ; Kura, Te Nijenhuis & Dutton, ; Simonton, ).…”

Revisiting the Miller-Kanazawa Debate: Should Asia Be Afforded More Attention From Evolutionary Psychologists?

“…Though results of studies that have administered the Kirton's Adaptation-Innovation Inventory on Asian samples suggest that Asia may not be as deficient in innovative individuals as depicted (e.g., Ee et al, 2007), studies have shown that Asians tend to possess lower levels of psychological traits predictive of exceptional scientific accomplishments (e.g., inquisitiveness) and that this seems to stem from genetic bases (e.g., Kura et al, 2015). This is in addition to the studies cited by Kanazawa (2006) showing how environmental factors specific to Asia, such as its educational systems, may serve to discourage creative thinking.…”

Why do High IQ Societies Differ in Intellectual Achievement? The Role of Schizophrenia and Left‐Handedness in Per Capita Scientific Publications and Nobel Prizes

“…Although this is beyond the borders of our study, it may be noted that relatively high IQ, wealthy countries with low levels of per capita science Nobel prize achievement-notably Japan, South Korea, and Finland-have been subject to similar selection pressures. They are adapted to an ecology of extreme harshness and also predictability (see Kura, te Nijenhuis & Dutton, 2015;Rushton, 1995), with Finnsthough not Finland-Swedes to the same degree-having as much as 10% East Asian admixture (Virtaranta-Knowles et al, 1991). It is possible that this would very strongly select for highly cooperative groups, meaning it would select against low empathy and reduce testosterone (as a predictor of aggression and a correlate of low empathy) ( Baron-Cohen, 2002).…”