Research has consistently shown that low socioeconomic status leads to lower IQ (e.g., Turkheimer et al., 2003). However is this because richer families can afford more expensive toys that boost intelligence? The good news for parents worried that the credit crunch will affect their children's development because they can no longer afford fancy electronic toys is that less expensive toys may well be better, according to Temple University developmental psychologist Kathy Hirsh-Pasek