Bell Curve

In generic usage, bell curve is a term describing the symmetrical shape of a normal distribution. It is more commonly referred to as the normal curve in statistics and measurement, where it serves as a model of relative frequencies or probabilities in a population. The Bell Curve is also the title of the 1994 book written by Richard J. Herrnstein and Charles Murray. Through reference to the assumptions of the normal curve, the authors contend that the distribution of intelligence scores in the United States has been undergoing significant change since the beginning of the 20th century. According to Herrnstein and Murray, this time period has witnessed a tremendous increase in the average IQ of students attending the top 12 universities. At the same time, ...