Intelligence as a Selective Factor in Rural-Urban Migrations

Abstract

Thus far, studies of the selective influence of rural-urban migration have failed to control adequately the cultural factor. Such control was achieved in the study here reported by measurement of the groups to be compared when they were living in the same rural communities before migration had ocurred. A sample of 2, 544 high-school studentss was given a standard intelligence test in 1922-23. In 1935 residential data were obtained and the former students were classified as rural and urban. The urban group was in turn divided into four classes according to city size. The urban migrants were found to be superior as measured by the test scores, and their superiority was greatest in cities of metropolitan class. Out-of-state migrants excelled the group remaining in Kansas. The results indicate that the urban environment is exerting a stronger pull upon the abler rural inhabitants of the state, though this selection does not necesarily have any genetic significance.