Psychologist Stuart Ritchie (professor at King's College London. Author of The Essentials for Intelligence) dispels popular misconceptions.
1. The value of a person can be expressed in one number
No one claims that IQ fully describes a person. Researchers of this phenomenon readily admit that the future success of each individual is influenced by his character, motivation, and many other factors, including luck.
2. Tests for IQ only demonstrate the ability to pass these same tests
IQ is a complex indicator composed of the results of tests for logical and spatial thinking, for the ability to compare and summarize facts, tests of working memory, vocabulary, and speed of thinking. Moreover, people who score more in one test usually get a lot of points in others. Psychologists call this the general factor (g-factor). Scientists have established a connection between IQ and various indicators in life. The most significant relationship, unsurprisingly, is between IQ test scores and school performance. One study found that participants' IQ scores at age 11 are directly correlated with their estimates at age 16. But that is not all. Higher IQ scores predict greater workplace success, higher income, better physical health. And even a long life.
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3. IQ is just a reflection of social conditions
Intelligence is a complex phenomenon that is caused by both genetics and the environment. Environmental conditions can suppress the intellectual potential hidden in the genes of the child to some extent. For example, in cases where there is not enough food for brain development. Or when the brain does not receive the necessary resources, because some of them are absorbed by parasites in the body, which is still found in developing countries. But research on twins and DNA directly confirms that intelligence is inherited. Much of the variation in IQ is due to genetics. Scientists have already begun to identify the specific genes responsible for these differences. Therefore, it is impossible to say that IQ reflects only the conditions of the social environment.
4. There are several types of intelligence that are not related to each other
In 1983, the theory of multiple intelligences emerged. Its creator, Howard Gardner, distinguishes modules that are independent of each other, including musical, bodily kinetic, intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence. But his theory lacks evidence. Research, on the other hand, confirms that all mental faculties are linked. People try to predict success in life using a variety of human qualities and inclinations. For example, the so-called emotional intelligence. But by and large it's just another name for IQ combined with character. That is, a new name for psychological qualities, which we already knew about.
In addition, emotional intelligence is correlated with the g-factor. That is, people with high IQs usually also have a high EI.
5. The IQ of one person is unshakable
Heritability does not necessarily mean immutability. One person's IQ test scores change with new passes. And this is not surprising, because a lot of external factors affect mental abilities. So far, there is evidence that education has a positive effect on cognitive abilities. Each additional year of study adds approximately one to five points to the IQ score. The effect lasts throughout life. In developing countries, nutritional improvement, namely the introduction of iodine supplementation, has greatly helped to raise IQs. According to the World Health Organization, one in three people in the world does not get enough of this element. The result is mental retardation, and iodine deficiency during pregnancy leads to a decrease in fetal IQ by 10-15 points. Basically, nothing says about the impossibility of increasing IQ. However, there are certain boundaries.
With an average level of intelligence, it is impossible to turn into a genius.
6. IQ researchers are supporters of elitism or racism
There are people who are convinced of the mental superiority of one class, one sex, or one race. They distort facts and use IQ test results to support their beliefs. Therefore, it has been misconceived that any IQ researchers support such views. But the facts themselves are not morally or politically motivated. It depends only on people how to use them.
IQ tests are one of the tools that psychologists use to investigate human intelligence. They are needed to find ways to improve intelligence and productivity, and to better understand and alleviate the aging process of the brain.