Intelligence is a term we refer to and use often in day to day life, but how much do you actually know about intelligence? If you’re wondering how intelligence develops and how you can try and improve your own intelligence, then keep on reading.
What Is Intelligence?
Intelligence refers to your ability to obtain, retain, and use knowledge in a variety of ways. A common misconception is that there is only one type of intelligence, the kind you need to use in school. However, recent research suggests that there is, in fact, several types of intelligence such as emotional intelligence, physical intelligence, mathematical intelligence, and artistic intelligence.
Is Intelligence Genetic Or Inherited?
Another common misconception surrounding intelligence is that it is completely inherited and that how intelligent you become is determined entirely by the genes passed down to you by your parents. This is most likely false. Currently, intelligence is referred to as having a heritability coefficient of 0.5, which in more simple terms, means that your intelligence is equally as influenced by your environment, as it is your genetics. This means that you have quite some degree of control over your intelligence, which can be a good or a bad thing. On the one hand, you can definitely improve your intelligence and raise your score on an IQ test, for example. However, on the other hand, it is also possible to let your intellect degrade if you don’t properly exercise your brain regularly.
How Reliable are IQ Tests?
The short answer is that the IQ test isn’t a very reliable or accurate measure of intelligence, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it is completely invalid. An IQ test measures an individual’s cognitive ability and compares it to that of the general population by testing how well the individual can solve problems. When the test was first created, it was seen as the best measure of intelligence available, but now it is understood that the ability to solve written problems is not the best indicator of overall intelligence.
How You Can Improve Your intelligence
As established, intelligence is inherited, but only to a certain extent. The interaction between your genetics and your environment ultimately decides how intelligent you are, and it has been theorized that you have potentially unlimited intelligence, if only you work hard enough. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to influence your environment and boost your intelligence. There’s no promising that you’ll become the next Einstein, but with a few handy tips and tricks, you should be able to boost your overall intelligence.
Experts agree that one of the best ways to boost your intelligence is to broaden your horizons and continue to test your brain by learning new knowledge, even when you’re no longer in full-time education. Even a quick browse through sites such as World Report Now can help expose you to new and stimulating stories from around the world, which can go a long way to expanding your mindset and your IQ.
Another generally well-respected way to boost your IQ and general mental stamina is to practice mental exercises. Unlike regular exercise, this can actually be quite fun. Apps such as Lumosity and CogniFit provide fun and engaging exercises to limber up your brain and help to create new connections.