Myths about IQ

Psychologist Stuart Ritchie dispels popular misconceptions.

Myths about IQ

Stuart Ritchie (Stuart Ritchie)

Psychologist, lecturer at King's College London. Author of the book "The most important thing about the intelligence" (Intelligence: All That Matters)

1. The value of a person can be expressed by one number

No one argues that IQ was fully describes the person. The researchers of this phenomenon readily admit that the future success of every individual affect his character, motivation and many other factors, including luck.

Myths about IQ

2. IQ tests demonstrate only the ability to pass these same tests

IQ - a comprehensive index, compiled from the results of tests on the logical and spatial thinking, the ability to collate and summarize the facts, the working memory test, vocabulary, speed of thinking. And people are gaining more points in a single test, typically get a lot of points in the other. Psychologists call this the general intelligence factor (Eng. General factor, g-factor).

Scientists have established a link with different IQ performance in life. The most significant interdependence, which is not surprising - between the results of intelligence test and school performance. According to one study, participants in performance IQ of 11 years directly correlated with their scores in 16 years. But that's not all. Higher IQ scores predict greater success in the workplace, higher income, better physical health. And even a long life.

3. IQ - just a reflection of social conditions

Intelligence - is a complex phenomenon, which is caused by genetics, environment. Environmental conditions may to some extent suppress the intellectual potential, hidden in a child's genes.

For example, when brain development is not enough food. Or when the brain does not receive the necessary resources, because of their absorb parasites in the body, more common in developing countries.

But twins and directly DNA studies suggest that intelligence is inherited. A substantial part of the variation in IQ scores is due to genetics. Scientists have already begun to identify the specific genes responsible for these differences. Therefore it is impossible to claim that IQ only reflects the social conditions of the environment.

Myths about IQ

4. There are several not linked to each other intelligences

In 1983, there was the theory of multiple intelligences. Its creator Howard Gardner distinguishes are independent from each other modules, including musical, bodily-kinetic, intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence. But his theory is not enough evidence. Studies on the contrary, confirm that all mental abilities are linked. Success in life trying to predict, using a variety of qualities and tendencies of man. For example, so-called emotional intelligence. But by and large it's just another name for the IQ in conjunction with the character. That is the new name of the psychological qualities of which we already knew.

Besides emotional intelligence correlates with general intelligence factor (g-factor). That is, people with high IQ are usually also high rate of emotional intelligence.

5. IQ one person index unshakeable

Heritability does not necessarily mean the inviolability. The results of IQ tests one person change when new passages. This is not surprising, because intelligence is influenced by the mass of external factors.

At the moment, there is evidence that the cognitive abilities of education has a positive impact. Each additional year of education adds about one to five points in IQ scores. The effect persists throughout life.

In developing countries, to raise the IQ significantly helped improve the supply, namely the introduction of nutritional supplements with iodine. According to the World Health Organization, one in three people in the world are not getting enough of this element. Result - mental retardation, and iodine deficiency during pregnancy leads to a decrease in fetal IQ by 10-15 points. In principle, there is no evidence of the impossibility of raising IQ. Nevertheless, there are certain boundaries. With the average level of intelligence, it is impossible to become a genius.

6. Researchers IQ - supporters of elitism and racism

There are people who believe in the intellectual superiority of a class of the same sex or of the same race. They distort the facts and use the results of IQ tests to confirm his views. Therefore, there was a misconception that any IQ researchers support such views.

But the facts themselves do not have a moral or political background. Only from people it depends on how to use them. Tests on IQ - one of the tools by which psychologists investigate the human intellect. They need to find ways to develop mental abilities and productivity, as well as a better understanding of the brain aging process and make it easier.