Perspectives on Intelligence Unit 9 Lecture 3 Flashcards
A Genetic Influence on IQ Scores
Twin Studies, Adoption Studies and Family Studies should reveal higher correlations between IQ scores between individuals that are more genetically similar to one another
Heritability of IQ scores
Any given sample of individuals, about 40-80% of differences in IQ scores originate from genetic differences
Environmental influences vs genetic influences
Play a larger role than genetic influences when there is a great deal of variation in the environment that hosts our development as infants and children
Behavioural Genomics
Study focusing on how particular genes influence specific types of behaviours; have revealed a group of genes that each seem to make a small contribution to our mental abilities
Gene Knockout (KO) Studies
- Have identified a number of genes related to cognitive abilities to mice
- The animals in these studies have some gene removed and then researchers compare their behaviour to animals who have not had the gene removed
Transgenic Studies
- Insertion of genetic material into animals
- Have revealed genes that provide mice with cognitive benefits
- To see if the addition of a gene provides benefits in mental functioning
Environmental Influences on IQ Scores
- Many studies of humans and other animals have established a positive link between mental abilities/brain complexity and the quality of physical and mental stimulation during early stages of development
It remains clear that there is plenty of room for non genetic influences to help determine IQ scores - More mental and physical stimulation lead to better brain development and a greater capacity to learn
Birth Order and IQ Scores
- The 1st born child in a family tends to have statistically higher IQ scores than the 2nd or 3rd born child
- Maybe it’s because older siblings often have some responsibility for taking care of their younger siblings and teaching them about things.
Socioeconomic status and IQ Scores
- Children from wealthier families tend to have higher IQ scores than children from poorer families
- Opportunities for a highly stimulated infancy probably contribute to a higher IQ advantage for the children of wealthier families
- By age 3, children of professional parents have been exposed to 30 million words, whereas children of working class parents have only been exposed to 20 million words
A Family’s wealth is positively correlated with
of books, magazines, and newspapers they own, their access to computers, the opportunities they provide for exploring the world outside of the home
Negative cognitive functions
- Tend to be lower for animals and humans whose food consumption tends to be high in saturated fats
- Degree of poverty is positively correlated with: lower quality healthcare/nutrition, degree of exposure to toxins, stress and conflict inside the home
Multiple Sources of Stress
- More prevalent for poorer families
- Poorer families have greater difficulty finding adequate jobs for meeting expenses
Ways For Enhancing One’s Cognitive Functioning
N-Back Task
N-Back Task
People are presented with a grid of squares and their task is to indicate whether the square that lights up is the same one that lit up on the previous trial, or on the second, or third most recent rail
The practice of this test actually improved the IQ scores of people across a range of ages
Nootropic Substances
- Chemicals that are believed to improve cognitive functioning, either indirectly by boosting alertness and energy levels, through their impact on neurotransmitter levels, or by stimulating the formation of neural connections
- These substances enhance cognitive functioning indirectly, by boosting alertness and energy levels
