Neuroscience: Intelligence There are many different kinds of intelligence, and it’s up to scientists on how to identify and categorize them. Below are the main intelligences that we humans have.
Biologically, our brains are split into two separate halves. This physical
boundary sets up a nice way to describe the brain; left versus right side. It is known that the differing sides of the brain perform different functions. For example, for 95% of right handed people, the area in the brain that is in charge of speech is located on the left half of the brain.
Here is a list of common features that show up on the respective halves: Left Brain • logical • sequential • rational • analytical • objective • looks at parts • systematic • symbolic • linear • factual • abstract •
digital
Right Brain • Random • Intuitive • Holistic • Synthesizing • Subjective • Looks at wholes • Non-verbal • Casual • Concrete • Visual • Sensory • Spatial •
emotional
*Please be reminded that the functions are varied between peoples
Here are some interesting facts about intelligence: 1) Males estimate their general intelligence higher then females do 2) Nearly all participants rated their father’s IQ higher then their mothers 3) About 50% of the time females rated their IQ lower then it really is
What affects our intelligence? Nature vs. Nurture Multitudinous number of parents is anxiously paying for extra tuition and feeding their children a special diet thinks that intelligence can be nurtured. But the nature vs. nature debate has been going on for decades and looks likely to continue unabated for some time to come. To what extent can intelligence be “acquired� or nurtured? Are you born With It? Scientific studies have definitely uncovered genes linked to intelligence and for example, identical twins from the same egg and sharing the same genetic make-up are more likely to get the same IQ score than nonidentical twins from different eggs. Other research studies have shown a correlation between intelligence and the overall size of the brain, as well
as its glucose metabolic rate during problem solving. Studies on animals provide further support for a genetic basis to intelligence, for example inbred mice demonstrating individual differences in aspects of learning and mice with certain genes “knocked out� displaying interference with specific spatial tasks. Can you Nurture it? Despite the genetic component, intelligence is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon and it is more the result of the way your genes interact with your environment than necessarily the genes themselves. Thus social factors, such as your educational background, and physical environment factors, such as your diet, could influence your intelligence, especially during your crucial childhood and adolescent years. For example, children from working class families that have been adopted into middle class families obtain a significantly IQ higher score regardless of differences in race and gender. Research has shown that better parenting, schooling and emotional environment (e.g., leisure time for stimulating activities) can improve IQ scores. For example, one study reveals that there is temporary drop in IQ during school vacations and that delay in schooling causes IQ to drop on average 5 points per year. At a younger age, selecting the right kind of toys and providing the right kind of mental stimulation can make a significant difference. For example, choosing a toy that stimulates the imagination and develops attention and concentration, such as Lego, is ideal but it is also important for adults to spend time with the child, interacting with the toy and giving guidance. Other good toys are those that require sensory involvement, such as touch, hearing and sight, which promotes greater learning. A number of studies have shown that schooling and intelligence influence each other. Higher intelligence tends to lead to prolonged schooling and longer schooling leads to higher IQ. It was found out that delays in schooling cause IQ to 'drop' 5 points per year, and that temporary drop in IQ during school vacations. Also, there is 2.7 IQ point advantage for each year of schooling. Using this result, they concluded that to predict later IQ, two estimates are useful: early IQ estimates and number of
years of schooling. Good nutrition is also vital for optimal brain function and development, particularly during childhood. In particular, the essential fatty acids which make up 60% of the brain are crucial in maintaining optimal brain function, as they play key roles in the communication between brain neurons. Studies have shown that diets lacking in the essential fatty acids required for brain health lead to seriously impaired learning skills and in some cases, are even linked to mental disorders. Conversely, diets supplemented with the correct amounts of fatty acids, like alpha-linoeic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) result in improved mental performance and IQ scores as well as better moods and ability to handle stress. Through the researches that have been done, it seems that heredity, as well as environment plays an important role in humans’ intelligence; but these are not exactly equal in influence. A person’s entire environment seems to be more effectual in determining his mental ability than heredity is. Using the most fundamental way to explain, it is heredity that determines one’s potential, but environment determines how far one will reach that potential during his lifetime. In other words, every individual has a destined mental potential, but how much of that potential the individual will be able to gain solely depends on the environment that the individual grows in. For example, some genes increase our risk of heart disease: but if we know this and eat less fat, we reduce the risk. A similar example involving intelligence can easily be generated. For instance, some genes might increase our spatial abilities, however if you do not encounter enough spatial tasks during your lifetime, then you cannot expect that your genes would still make you a genius in that area. Thus, you need to interact and learn from your environment in order to reach your actual, inborn potential, which was determined by your genes. Conclusion: The general consensus at the moment on the nature vs. nurture debate for intelligence appears to be 50/50 and more research is required to determine the relative extent of influence by each factor.
Improve? You might think that some people are just born more brainy than others but actually, there’s a lot we can all do to improve our brainpower and hence our intelligence. While there is a strong genetic component to intelligence, research shows that IQ is more a result of the way your genes interact with your environment. Therefore, intelligence can be nurtured and it doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time with your nose buried in a book, memorizing facts, either! There are lots of ways to stimulate your brain and here are some biological recommendations: • Use your nose – your olfactory senses are one of the first to develop and one of the most strongly linked with mental processes. We all know the way smells can trigger a memory more sharply than sights or sounds. Similarly, inhaling certain scents can have a stimulating effect on the brain, perking you up while others can have a calming, sedating effect. Rosemary is a popular recommendation for waking up the brain. Although research is still needed to prove its effects, this is one safe trick that’s worth a try. • Enjoy some music – while there is some claim that classical music, especially Mozart, can stimulate IQ in students, particularly with regards to spatial intelligence, recent research shows little support for this theory. However, there is no doubt that music – in any form – can stimulate your brain and your creativity. Just pick something, with a good rhythm and beat, which you enjoy and feel, fired up by. Even better, dance around to the beat and let physical expression enhance your mental abilities even more. • Top up on proteins – these affect brain performance because they supply the amino acids which make up the neurotransmitters used in brain signals. For example, one precursor of neurotransmitters is an essential amino acid called tryptophan which can only be gained through the diet. So make sure you eat plenty of seafood, meat, eggs, soy, and dairy. • Choose fish – especially oily, fatty fish such as salmon, trout and sardines. The brain is made up of 60% essential fatty acids, such as alpha-linoeic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which play important roles in brain neuron communication. Research shows that diets
lacking in essential fatty acids lead to seriously impaired learning skills or even possibly to mental disorders, while diets rich in essential fatty acids lead to improved mental performance and IQ scores. Remember, your brain is similar to a muscle – the more your exercise it in the right ways, the more you will increase its ability and potential.