6 myths about IQ, in which it's time to stop believing

1. The value of man can be expressed as a single 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.

2. IQ tests show 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 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 the test for intelligence and

school performance. According to one study, IQ participants performance in 11 years is directly correlatedIntelligence and educational achievement with their assessments in 16 years.

But that's not all. Higher IQ scores predict greater successFact and Fiction in Cognitive Ability Testing for Admissions and Hiring Decisions in the workplace, higher incomeIntelligence and socioeconomic success: A meta-analytic review of longitudinal research, Better physicalEarly life intelligence and adult health and mentalIntelligence in early adulthood and subsequent hospitalisation and admission rates for the whole range of mental disorders: longitudinal study of 1,049,663 men health. And even a long lifeIntelligence in young adulthood and cause-specific mortality in the Danish Conscription Database - A cohort study of 728,160 men.

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 bodyThat more common in developing countries.

But studies of twins and DNA directly confirmGenetics and intelligence differences: five special findingsThat intelligence is inherited. A substantial part of the variation in IQ scores is due to genetics. Scientists have already begun to identify specific genesGenetic contributions to variation in general cognitive function: a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in the CHARGE consortiumResponsible for these differences. Therefore it is impossible to claim that IQ only reflects the social conditions of the environment.

4. There are several not linked to each other kinds of intelligence

In 1983, there was the theory of multiple intelligences. Its creator Howard Gardner distinguishes are independent from each other modules, including musical, Body-kinetic, intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence. But his theory is not enough evidence. Studies on the contrary, confirmNeuromythologies in educationThat 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 was one person is firm

Heritability does not necessarily mean the inviolability. Test results on IQ 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 cognitive abilities positively affects educationHow much does education improve intelligence? A meta-analysis. 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 toIodine status worldwide 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 resultsIodine Deficiency in Pregnancy: The Effect on Neurodevelopment in the Child reduce IQ by 10-15 points fetus.

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 - advocates elitism, sexism or 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 tests of IQ 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 better understand the process the aging brain and lighten it.