Study Suggests Jocks Really Are Dumber: Believable or Baloney?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2012/05/21 18:00:00

Related Topics: Dumb, jocks, contact sports, Student, College, cheerleader, Tennis, Research, Football, Hockey, Test, students, Athletes, News, Science

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	Believable	306 votes	71%
	Baloney	126 votes	29%

You've heard all the stereotypes ... the dumb jocks, the ditzy cheerleaders, the band nerds. Often, these cliches are more insulting than anything else. But new research suggests there might be some truth to at least one of them. Jocks in contact sports perform worse on tests than non-jocks, according to a Dartmouth College study.

But before you get all riled up, consider this: The study mainly detected inferior test-taking performance among athletes who participate in contact sports (e.g. football and hockey.) So have no fear, tennis players!

Twenty-two percent of students who participated in contact sports scored significantly lower in memory and learning skills than expected, as opposed to only 4 percent of non-contact sport athletes (those who participate in track, crew and Nordic skiing), LiveScience reports. And it may have something to do with those blows to the head.

"These results were found shortly after the season and we do not know how long the effect [of the head impacts] lasts," study researcher Thomas McAllister said in a statement. "While it may be bad for the 22 percent, the good news is that overall there were few differences in the test results between the athletes in contact sports and the athletes in non-contact sports." Do you think this study explains the whole "dumb jock" thing once and for all?

+17

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Kyle 2012/05/21 18:29:33

Believable

+9
Actually it does make sense. I'm not saying people who participate in contact sports are dumb I'm just not surprised that someone who's hit on the head repeatedly has a little trouble remembering some things.
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Professor Wizard 2012/05/21 19:59:22

Believable

It is what it is... Jocks do better at sports then science.. and nerds/geeks do better at science then sports.

Both have the potential to make good money - - but nerds in a general sense do well, where jocks have to be one of a select few to do well.

Me - I was a nerd, and I made a lot of money helping jocks with their homework.

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laydeel... to Profess... 2012/05/21 20:44:59

I don't think that first point is true. Most of the athletes at my school also have the highest marks in school. My ex played rugby, soccer, tennis, hockey, and ran track and still had high 90's in everything and I know many others that did the same so it's definitely not a 'select few'.

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Geswin ... to Profess... 2012/08/16 05:46:44

You geeks are the ones who's the dumbest dub & dumber style

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Geswin ... to Profess... 2012/08/16 05:48:07

geeks are dorks

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brittany 2012/05/21 19:50:46

Believable

haha head impact? doubt it... their test grades are probably lower because after the season is over they are partying it up

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Cornball 2012/05/21 19:37:08

Believable

Only because of injuries. I mean seriously, athletes get hit on the head fairly often. :/

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Bigbrowneyes 2012/05/21 19:35:36

Believable

On average, athletes have higher GPAs thatn nonatheletes in college (or just mine?). But contact sports can injure brain cells.

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sherie 2012/05/21 19:06:47

Believable

My first reaction was of course "baloney " until i read the article.The ramifications of repeated concussions are real. I'm so glad my kids played soccer,baseball and water polo! :)

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Geswin ... to sherie 2012/08/16 05:48:49

geeks are mama 's boys

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smitty 2012/05/21 19:03:33 (edited)

Baloney

Depends on what the subject is? Quantum physics? I bet there are more dummies than jocks.

Running a post play? Bet those quantum physics people aren't sure what that is. They may look outside to the light post.

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Krysta 2012/05/21 19:03:01 (edited)

Baloney

+2
A jock is an athlete. And athlete is a person who participates in sports. Nowhere in those definitions does it say "dumb" Being a jock does not mean someone is dumber than someone else and I think this question is generalizing the athletic population. MAYBE there are stupid jocks (probably more popular in high-school) but I cant believe that jocks are dumber than other people just because they play sports. :( it's sad how generalizing is so prominent in our opinions of other people.

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America... to Krysta 2012/05/21 22:00:03

Did you even read the article?

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addie to Krysta 2012/05/23 04:41:39

I agree it is baloney, but, boy, I wish you were on the other side of the topic.

"MAYBE there are stupid jocks (probably more popular in high-school)?" lol

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the judgebigdogeagle 2012/05/21 18:59:58 (edited)

Believable

+1
Some jocks live & breath sports,and nothing else matters.except girls. But I have a friend who played & still loves sports,but is quite intelligent.Done great for himself after walking off the sports field.

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Geswin ... to the jud... 2012/08/16 05:52:38

geeks should date hedgehogs

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alex 2012/05/21 18:59:17 (edited)

Baloney

+1
...dont they have to maintain atleast a 2.0 gpa to even participate in sports?

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smitty to alex 2012/05/21 19:04:40

+1
Some schools it is higher.

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Sheila to alex 2012/05/21 19:08:55 (edited)

+1
Your GPA has little relation to your intelligence.

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alex to Sheila 2012/05/21 19:09:25

+1
i can see that.

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Kern 2012/05/21 18:52:08

Believable

+2
Having been a jock and having spent a lot of time around them, I have to agree. If your life pursuits are focus on physical activity more then mental activity the outcome is more than obvious. I guess it comes down what you want to exorcise more your head or your body. I prefer to do both; I need a lot more with both.

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Kyle 2012/05/21 18:29:33

Believable

+9
Actually it does make sense. I'm not saying people who participate in contact sports are dumb I'm just not surprised that someone who's hit on the head repeatedly has a little trouble remembering some things.

reply
Kern to Kyle 2012/05/21 18:53:16

+1
I disagree because....wait....what....oh yeah, I disagree because...wait....what....oh yeah, I disagree.....you get the idea. LOL

reply
sean to Kyle 2012/05/22 01:45:30

I have taken a lot of hits to the head in contact sports and action sports.

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Kyle to sean 2012/05/24 06:05:27

So, where were you going with that?

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addie to Kyle 2012/05/23 04:35:42 (edited)

You are not, at all alone around here, with your jealous, nerd, nonsense and that should help your self esteem. lol

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Kyle to addie 2012/05/24 06:07:09

I'm sorry, what are you trying to say?

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Jalysa Ellis 2012/05/21 17:55:15

Believable

If the jocks in my school are anything to go by...

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TuringsChild 2012/05/21 17:51:59

Believable

+1
Jocks, cheerleaders, and band 'nerds' are all self-selecting groups. Just like science nerds.

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Geswin ... to Turings... 2012/08/16 05:50:02

geeks are drunk heads man drunk heads

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Turings... to Geswin ... 2012/08/16 18:00:14

Did I mention geeks?

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CUDDLY BUT STILL CRABBY 2012/05/21 17:50:58

Baloney

Speaking of dumb ...........

Actually, this guy is the LEAST qualified of any person already in the room

and that INCLUDES the Easter Bunny.

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