Neurological effects of childhood sleep apnea
Children with childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exhibit lower full-scale IQ scores and impaired executive function. The study suggests OSA may lead to permanent cognitive changes if left untreated.
Intelligence Testing
Articles tagged with Intelligence Testing
Personality predictors of intelligence change from younger to older adulthood
A new study found that open-mindedness predicts higher intelligence in young adults, while disagreeableness is linked to better vocabulary and knowledge retention in older age. Conscientiousness also plays a role in strong short-term memory and visual processing in older adults.
Apes -- not monkeys -- ace IQ tests
Researchers found great apes outperforming monkeys and lemurs in problem-solving tests across multiple paradigms. This suggests a broad, domain-general type of intelligence that allows them to succeed in various situations, contradicting the theory of specialized skills.
Girls have big advantage over boys on timed tests
Research by Vanderbilt University's Stephen Camarata and Richard Woodcock found females have a significant advantage over males on timed tests and tasks, especially among pre-teens and teens. The study highlights the need for teachers to understand sex differences in processing speed and teaching strategies.
Older children not smarter than their younger sibs, study finds
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that older children are generally smarter than their younger siblings. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 3,000 families and found no link between birth order and intelligence when controlling for environmental factors.
Autistic intelligence measured inaccurately, Université de Montréal study
Research reveals that autistic individuals' intelligence is often misjudged using Wechsler scales, which require oral language skills. However, Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) tests show that autistics can excel in high-level abstract reasoning and problem-solving, indicating a more accurate assessment of their intelligence.
Bigger brain size matters for intellectual ability
A new study by McMaster University found a significant correlation between brain size and intelligence in women. In contrast, men's spatial ability was not strongly related to overall brain size. The study suggests that sex differences may play a role in cognitive processes.
VCU study shows big-brained people are smarter
A comprehensive study of 26 international studies shows a strong correlation between brain volume and intelligence, with average intelligence increasing with brain size. The findings have significant implications for job performance and could lead to more accurate employment screening methods.
Bird IQ test takes flight
A bird IQ test, developed by Dr. Lefebvre, ranks species based on their innovative feeding behaviors observed in the wild. The study found that birds with greater behavioral flexibility and larger forebrains are more successful in new environments.
Think fast: Reaction time and IQ may predict long life
A new study found that faster reaction times were associated with longer life expectancy than higher IQ scores. The research built on earlier studies showing a link between lower IQs and early mortality. The study of middle-aged subjects suggested that processing information efficiency may be a key factor in predicting life span.
First solid evidence that the study of music promotes intellectual development
A study published in Psychological Science found that extra-curricular music lessons significantly improved IQ scores and academic performance in six-year-old children. The research, led by Dr. E. Glenn Schellenberg, showed that music lessons had a more pronounced effect on cognitive development than drama lessons or no lessons at all.
SAT measures more than student performance, research shows it is also a reliable measure of IQ
Researchers found that SAT test scores are highly correlated with IQ scores, suggesting the SAT can be used as a reliable measure of intelligence. This correlation may have implications for understanding intellectual decline due to head injury or diseases like Alzheimer's.
Timing of IQ test can be a life or death matter
A recent study found that IQ tests taken at different times can result in vastly different diagnoses, with potential consequences for life or death sentences. The 'Flynn effect' causes IQ scores to rise over time, making it essential to reset the test every 15-20 years.
Renorming IQ tests due to Flynn effect may have unintended consequences
Researchers found that IQ test renorming influences which children are diagnosed with mental retardation regardless of cognitive ability. This can lead to students losing access to special services or being misclassified due to changing test norms.
Boost your brain power
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that creatine supplementation improves working memory and intelligence in both vegetarians and omnivores. The study suggests a significant boost to brain function similar to effects shown previously in muscle and heart.
Short-term dyslexia treatment strengthens key brain regions
A three-week training program based on National Reading Panel principles improved brain activation patterns and reading performance in children with dyslexia. Dyslexic children showed significant improvements after the program, demonstrating that instruction can strengthen existing brain circuits rather than rewiring them.
Genetics, genes and intelligence
A genetic study found a new gene variant associated with general intelligence, located within the cathepsin D (CTSD) gene. The study, which followed 767 healthy adults over 15 years, discovered that a specific functional transition in exon 2 of CTSD increased cognitive decline.
Cognitive abilities increase significantly with time in most prematurely born children
Most prematurely born children show significant improvements in cognitive abilities, such as verbal comprehension and intelligence tests, between ages 3 and 8. Environmental factors like increasing age, maternal education, and absence of brain injury are linked to higher scores.
'Why test?'—study assesses student intelligence testing
A recent study examines racial divisions in assessment test scores and student outcomes, revealing that current practices are unfair to both black and white students. Using high-school class rank instead of test score yields fairer race and gender outcomes when assessing students for college admissions.
Undersize infants score higher on IQ tests if breast fed exclusively
Under-sized infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first six months scored higher on IQ tests at five years of age compared to those with formula or solids introduced early. The study's findings also support the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding on cognitive development, without compromising growth.
University admissions: New test methods earn high marks
Researchers developed new tests to supplement the SAT and GMAT, measuring practical and creative abilities. The results indicate that these tests can improve the ability of standardized tests to predict student success and reduce racial and ethnic score differences.
New picture of intelligence highlights the overlooked role of visuospatial abilities
Visuospatial abilities and working memory are strongly correlated with executive function, a central cognitive command and control. This finding ties these skills to general intelligence, suggesting that traditional IQ tests may overlook important aspects of human cognition. The study aims to contribute to more fair and comprehensive t...
Study says pessimists can overcome negative bias in some cases
A new study suggests that pessimists can temper their negative outlook when judging others by focusing on the task at hand. Pessimistic individuals are aware of their negativity and can correct for this bias if they have sufficient mental resources available.
Lower childhood intelligence linked to late-onset dementia
A study found that people with late-onset dementia had lower intelligence scores as children compared to those without the disease. The researchers identified 59 patients with early-onset dementia and a comparison group, suggesting that lower childhood intelligence may be a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Formula additives boost small children's intelligence in study
A study funded by the NIH found that adding DHA and AA to infant formula boosted average intelligence scores in 18-month-old children. The study showed significant differences in mental development indexes between groups receiving different formula types, with the highest scores seen in those receiving formula with both DHA and AA.
Study: Smarter teens delay sexual contacts
Researchers found that intelligent adolescents tend to postpone any kind of lesser sexual activity, as well as first sex, compared to their less intelligent peers. The association between intelligence and refraining from sexual intercourse was stronger for girls than boys, and age-dependent.
High Blood Pressure Can Lead To Mental Decline
Researchers found that elevated blood pressure is a strong predictor of changes in brain structure and related cognitive functioning. All participants showed declines in mental abilities over time, with higher blood pressures associated with greater declines, particularly for visual-spatial ability and speed of performance.
Praising Children For Their Intelligence May Leave Them Ill-Equipped To Cope With Failure
Researchers found that praising children for their intelligence can lead them to believe good test scores are more important than learning and mastering new things. In contrast, praising effort leads to a focus on learning goals and strategies for achievement.
Bad Statistical Methods Nix New Discoveries
Researchers are using outdated techniques, missing significant discoveries. Expert recommends revisiting studies and applying modern computational methods to correct issues.
New Intelligence Test Identifies Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Study Shows
A newly released intelligence test can help diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children by measuring their planning ability. The test, called the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), showed that children with ADHD scored significantly lower than average on CAS in a measurement of planning ability.
Race And Class Intelligence Gaps Groups Narrowed
A new study published in American Psychologist found that racial differences in intelligence narrowed by about half between 1970 and 1988 and have remained constant since then. Socio-economic class differences also decreased gradually since 1932, with IQ scores converging between the upper and lower thirds.