A forum for discussion ideas
The good news is that we are all born with the innate ability to think abstractly and logically to some degree. However, we humans differ significantly in the extent to which we apply logical reasoning or engage in abstract thought. In his bestseller, Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman outlined the two modes of thinking …
On an IQ scale for which the mean is 100 and standard deviation 15, a person with an IQ of 140 is in the 99.616957th percentile. This means that they have scored higher than 99.6% of the population on the test, an achievement equalled or bettered by only 1 in 261 people. A person with …
What abilities or skills might a person with an IQ of 140 possess? Read More »
We are living today in an environment that is highly polarized and perhaps one of the most politically polarized in modern history. In the US, families gathering together at Thanksgiving and other festive occasions are often cautioned that politics is a divisive and potentially incendiary topic. The tribalism evident in the religious wars in history …
The most commonly used instrument for measuring intelligence is the IQ test. However, intelligence is a multi-faceted human attribute that involves many dimensions, such as imagination, creativity, and long-term problem solving ability that are not measured in an IQ test. This means that judgements about intelligence, yours or someone else’s, are somewhat subjective. So, the …
Einstein had the intellectual capacity to learn mathematics at the advanced level, but in his early youth, he thought that most abstract mathematics had little use. While at the Zurich Polytechnic, he scored 5 out of 6 points in this theoretical physics courses, but only 4 out of 6 in his mathematics courses. Believing that …
The intelligence that we have when we reach adulthood is generally attributed to two factors: our DNA and our environment. For years, psychologists engaged in what was called the “nature vs. nurture” debate about the relative importance of each factor. Those on the “nurture” side of the debate argued that every human begins life as …
Absolutely! In researching biographies of more than 500 of the world’s highest achievers, I have discovered that many of the world’s richest people came from very little wealth, equipped with nothing more than a high capacity for work and a dream that they pursued with an intense, unrelenting passion. A few clips from three of …
As societies became more intellectually oriented, developing increasingly more sophisticated technologies and building the abstract skills of reading and writing, our environment became more intellectually stimulating. The difference in the cave etchings of primitive populations and the art of the Renaissance suggests an enhanced sophistication in human cognitive strength. Psychologists asked, “Is this increased sophistication …
As education becomes more widespread globally, do you see IQ scores improving as well? Read More »
Participants in the International Mathematics Olympiads (IMO) represent the brightest of the bright. They have very high SAT scores, qualify for the best university programs, and have their pick of virtually any career they wish to pursue. Having these options, do they complete a Ph.D. in mathematics and enter academe or do they move into …
Recently, the decline in the intelligence of President Joe Biden has raised questions about the mental acuity of people at advanced ages. During the 20th century, the belief that intelligence peaks early in life and goes into decline thereafter, spawned policies such as mandatory retirement at many universities. The Fields Medal, often referred to as …
