Assortative Marriage for Specific Cognitive Abilities in Two Ethnic Groups

Document Type

Article

Authors

R C. Johnson, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
J C. DeFries, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
J R. Wilson, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
G E. McClearn, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
S G. Vandenberg, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
G C. Ashton, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
M P. Mi, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
M N. Rashad, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

Abstract

Age-adjusted spouse correlations for 15 tests of specific cognitive abilities were relatively small in samples of Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) and Americans of European Ancestry (AEA). Median correlations based upon data from 148 AJA couples and 555 AEA couples were + .07 and + . 13, respectively. When effects of educational attainment were statistically removed, resulting partial correlations became even smaller. These results suggest that there is relatively little assortative mating for specific cognitive abilities, especially for that part of ability which is independent of educational level.

Recommended Citation

Johnson, R C.; DeFries, J C.; Wilson, J R.; McClearn, G E.; Vandenberg, S G.; Ashton, G C.; Mi, M P.; and Rashad, M N. (1976) "Assortative Marriage for Specific Cognitive Abilities in Two Ethnic Groups," Human Biology: Vol. 48: Iss. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol48/iss2/8