704 



Table 223.- 



MEMOIRS NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



[Vol. XV, 



-Comparison of foreign-born groups for different numbers of years in the United States in terms of theoretical 

 combined scale of intelligence (alpha, beta, and all individual examinations combined). 



The distribution of these foreign-born men by the number of years they have been in the 

 United States is as follows: 



Approximately 70 per cent fall within the first decade. Very few, however, report coming 

 to this country within the first three years, owing undoubtedly to the lack of immigration 

 during the war. 



Apparently then the group that has been longer resident in this country does somewhat 

 better in intelligence examination. It is not possible to state whether the difference is caused 

 by the better adaptation of the more thoroughly Americanized group to the situation of the 

 examination or whether some other factor is operative. It might be, for instance, that the 

 more intelligent immigrants succeed and therefore remain in this country, but this suggestion 

 is weakened by the fact that so many successful immigrants do return to Europe. At best 

 we can but leave for future decision the question as to whether the differences represent a real 

 difference of intelligence or an artifact of the method of examination. 



