Top 2005 education stories from ENL blog

Over at one of my favorite "must read" blogs (Eide Neurolearning Blog) they have posted their list of top education stories for 2005. Worth a peak in case you missed some informative posts.

Technorati tags: education.

Quote to note: W.C. Fields on "horse sense"

W. C. Fields

• "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people."

GREAT neuroscience web resource - Neuroguide

I just stumbled across a GREAT neuroscience resource on the web (Neuroguide). Check it out. A great searchable database and all kinds of links to useful resources. I shall be adding it to my blogroll.

Technorati tags: intelligence. cognition. brain. neuroscience.

Deja vu - does this fit somewhere in CHC theory?

Interesting post re: the history and current models of deju vu (Glr related?).

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. brain. neuroscience. deja vu. Glr. memory.

Gf and general intelligence (g) relationship article

I just stumbled across the following publication that adds additional information to the debate re: whether Gf and g are the same construct, the role of working memory in Gf/g, etc. The abstract for the article is below.

A few of my prior musings regarding this topic can be found by clicking here.

Blari, C. (2004). How similar are fluid cognition and general intelligence? A developmental neuroscience perspective on fluid cognition as an aspect of human cognitive ability

Abstract

• This paper considers the relation of fluid cognitive functioning to general intelligence. A neurobiological model differentiating working memory/executive function cognitive processes of the prefrontal cortex from aspects of psychometrically defined general intelligence is presented. Work examining the rise in mean intelligence test performance between normative cohorts, the neuropsychology and neuroscience of cognitive function in typically and atypically developing human populations, and stress, brain development, and corticolimbic connectivity in human and nonhuman animal models is reviewed and found to provide evidence of mechanisms through which early experience affects the development of an aspect of cognition closely related to but distinct from general intelligence. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of emotion in fluid cognition and on research indicating fluid cognitive deficits associated with early hippocampal pathology and with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stress response system. Findings are seen to be consistent with the idea of an independent fluid cognitive construct and to assist with the interpretation of findings from the study of early compensatory education for children facing psychosocial adversity and from behavior genetic research on intelligence. It is concluded that ongoing development of neurobiologically grounded measures of fluid cognitive skills appropriate for young children will play a key role in understanding early mental development and the adaptive success to which it is related, particularly for young children facing social and economic disadvantage. Specifically, in the evaluation of the efficacy of compensatory education efforts such as Head Start and the readiness for school of children from diverse backgrounds it is important to distinguish fluid cognition from psychometrically defined general intelligence.

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. educational psychology. brain.
fluid intelligence. Gf. working memory. Gsm.

Recent literature of interest 12-29-05 posted

This weeks "recent literature" of interest can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

Technorati tags: teaching tool. psychology.

Stimulant meds improve Ga performance?

Interesting post on Myomancy Blog regarding improvements in measured Ga (auditory processing) performance due to stimulant medications.

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. auditory processing. Ga. ADHD.

Ga related - iPod earbuds and hearing loss

Recent studies have suggested that the popular earbud headphones (popular with iPods) may produce greater hearing loss than other types. Various narrow CHC hearing-related abilities fall under the CHC domain of Ga.

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. auditory processing. Ga. hearing. iPod.

FAS facial features - misplaced emphasis?

Interesting new research suggests that physicians/psychologists my be placing too much stock in the cardinal physical facial features of fetal alchohol syndrome (FAS).

As reported in the URL link above:

• The most recent studies all appear to be headed the same way - no level of alcohol consumption appears "safe" and the absence of physical features traditionally associated with FAS is a meaningless factor that has become inappropriately focused upon diagnostically when one is assessing cognitive and behavioral disability.

Status of school psychology in the UK

FYI. Interesting article re: a potential shortage of school psychologists in the UK.

Technorati tags: psychology. school psychology. educational psychology.

Piagetian information

I've admittingly have not paid much attention to contemporary developments in cognitive psychology as per Jean Piaget (esp. since I left SCSU where I taught an introductory develomental psychology class). This is not an intentional slight....it is a casuality of too much information to read. For those with an interest in Piagetian theory and resources, you might want to check out the Piaget Society Web page.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. Piaget. educational psychology.

The internet and virtual scholarly communities

Thanks to Bruce Landon's Weblog for Students for a link to a very interesting article re: the impact of computer-mediated communication (the internet) on the dynamics of the "invisible universities of scholars."

I know that the internet/web has greatly expanded the connections I've recently created and maintained with a broader array of researchers. Interesting reading for those who are interested in the Social Life of Information (this is a great book to read) in scholarly communities.

The nose knows - article on Go domain

Over on the Brain Blog is a summary of a recent article dealing with an aspect of the broad CHC domain of Go (olfactory abilities).

Technorati tags: neuropsychology. CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. intelligence theory. brain. neuroscience. olfactory. Go.

Size matters? More on brain size and IQ

Another research study suggesting that "bigger is better" when it comes to brain size. This studyis unique as it is based on brain autopsies.

Intelligence scholars have had a long-standing interest in this research. I've never paid much attention as I don't see much in the way of practical implications...assessment psychologists are NOT going to start measuring the heads of clients.!!!!!!!! The correlations (proportion of IQ variance explained) is of theoretical/statistical significance, but has little practical significance. But....it is interesting cocktail converstation material.

I find it personally interesting given that my brother (and his friends) used to tease me about the size of my head when I was a kid (they thought mine was too big). Now I have ammunition to fight back!!

I just ran a search of my private reference database. All of the records below make some kind of mention of "brain size" in the article...for those who want to know more...happy reading:)


Brain size references

• Bakalar, P. (2004). The IQ of gypsies in central Europe. Mankind Quarterly, 44(3-4), 291-300.
• Colom, R., & GarciaLopez, O. (2002). Sex differences in fluid intelligence among high school graduates. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(3), 445-451.
• Colom, R., JuanEspinosa, M., Abad, F., & Garcia, L. F. (2000). Negligible sex differences in general intelligence. Intelligence, 28(1), 57-68.
• Colom, R., & Lynn, R. (2004). Testing the developmental theory of sex differences in intelligence on 12-18 year olds. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(1), 75-82.
• Deary, I. J. (2001). Individual differences in cognition: British contributions over a century. British Journal of Psychology, 92, 217-237.
• Garlick, D. (2002). Understanding the nature of the general factor of intelligence: The role of individual differences in neural plasticity as an explanatory mechanism. Psychological Review, 109(1), 116-136.
• Haier, R. J., Chueh, D., Touchette, P., Lott, I. et al. (1995). Brain size and cerebral glucose metabolic rate in nonspecific mental retardation and Down syndrome. Intelligence, 20(2), 191-210.
• Jensen, A. R. (2002). Galton's legacy to research on intelligence. Journal of Biosocial Science, 34(2), 145-172.
• Lubinski, D. (2000). Scientific and social significance of assessing individual differences: ''Sinking shafts at a few critical points''. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 405-444.
• Lynn, R., Allik, J., & Irwing, P. (2004). Sex differences on three factors identified in Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices. Intelligence, 32(4), 411-424.
• Lynn, R., Allik, J., & Must, O. (2000). Sex differences in brain size, stature and intelligence in children and adolescents: some evidence from Estonia. Personality and Individual Differences, 29(3), 555-560.
• Lynn, R., & Irwing, P. (2004). Sex differences on the progressive matrices: A meta-analysis. Intelligence, 32(5), 481-498.
• Moutafi, J., Furnham, A., & Paltiel, L. (2005). Can personality factors predict intelligence? Personality and Individual Differences, 38(5), 1021-1033.
• Neubauer, A. C., & Fink, A. (2003). Fluid intelligence and neural efficiency: effects of task complexity and sex. Personality and Individual Differences, 35(4), 811-827.
• Rushton, J. P. (2004). Placing intelligence into an evolutionary framework or how g fits into the r-K matrix of life-history traits including longevity. Intelligence, 32(4), 321-328.
• Rushton, J. P. (1991). "Mongoloid^Caucasoid differences in brain size from military sample": Reply. Intelligence, 15(3), 365-367.
• Rushton, J. P. (1991). Mongoloid^Caucasoid differences in brain size from military samples. Intelligence, 15(3), 351-359.
• Rushton, J. P. (1997). Cranial size and IQ in Asian Americans from birth to age seven. Intelligence, 25(1), 7-20.
• Templer, D. I., & Tomeo, M. E. (2002). Mean Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score and gender distribution as function of academic discipline. Personality and Individual Differences, 32(1), 175-179.
• Voracek, M. (2004). National intelligence and suicide rate: an ecological study of 85 countries. Personality and Individual Differences, 37(3), 543-553.
• Willerman, L. (1991). "Mongoloid-Caucasoid differences in brain size from military samples": Commentary. Intelligence, 15(3), 361-364.
• Willerman, L., Schultz, R., Rutledge, J. N., & Bigler, E. D. (1991). In vivo brain size and intelligence. Intelligence, 15(2), 223-228.
• Willerman, L., & Schultz, R. T. (1995). Comments on "Brain size and cerebral glucose metabolic rate in nonspecific mental retardation and Down syndrome.". Intelligence, 20(2), 211-216.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. intelligence theory. brain. neuroscience.

Recent literature of interest 12-22-05 posted

This weeks "recent literature" of interest can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

Technorati tags: teaching tool. psychology.

More on mental time-keeping

Yet another research outpost checks in with a research report suggesting that mental time keeping (temporal tracking) may be an important cognitive variable to understand and possibly assess. See my prior musings re: the intriguing recent research on mental time-keeping models and synchronized metronome tapping measurement and intervention.

The current BPS post suggests a link between accuracy of mental time-keeping and a predisposition to boredom.

Interesting stuff.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. interactive metronome. mental time keeping. temporal tracking. working memory.

CHC listserv close to 800

Yipppeeeeee. The CHC listserv membership is now at 798!!!!! Only two more and we will be at 800 and counting!!!! A goal for this next year is to get it over the 1000 mark.

As encouragement, any NASP members who can prove to me (in person at NASP) that they have contributed to the enrollment of mucho members between now and next NASP in March will be awarded a free CHC listserv shirt (designed by Dr. Joe). I'm bringing 4-5 extras to NASP and plan to give them away at the informal CHC listserv that has been mentioned.

Long live the CHC listerv!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Multi-tasking and working memory during driving

Interesting post over at Cognitive Dailey Blog re: decrement in car driving performance as greater demands are placed on working memory (and multi-tasking) as a function of the difficulty of the conversation in the car. Food for thought.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. working memory.

Off task - Top Google searches for 2005

Interesting post from Google regarding the hot topic Google searches this past year. I'll refrain from making any editorial comments re: any potential meaning about what is important in our culture. Some interesting hit graphs re: news events can be viewed by clicking on the tabs.

Visual Imagery (Gv-IM) and diagramming

Another nice post on the Eide Neurolearning Blog re: use of diagramming as a Gv-Imagery (Gv-IM). As per usual, the ENB also provides a link to the original article for those who want to read the original source. Thanks ENB

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. visual spatial. Gv.

Qute to note - innovation

H. E. Martz

• "He who builds a better mousetrap these days runs into material shortages, patent-infringement suits, work stoppages, collusive bidding, discount discrimination--and taxes.""

Google as a Glr brain tool

Interesting article on how Google is being used as a Glr augmentation mechanism. It is very true for me. I'm constantly using Google to find information that I can't recall (or no longer need to stuff into my Glr knowledge net).

Technorati tags: Google. Glr. long term memory.

School Psycholog blog added to blogroll

I just visited a school psychology blog by Andrew Livanis and have added it to my blogroll. Welcome aboard the blogosphere Andrew.

Dynamic psychological assessement web page

Thanks to Carol Lidz for sending me the tip on a web page devoted to dynamic psychological assessment. FYI for readers of the IQ blog.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. psychological testing. dynamic assessment.

Impulsivity (conative variable) and Gf (fluid intelligence)

Karl Schweizer. Does impulsivity influence performance in reasoning? Personality and Individual Differences, 33 (2002) 1031-1043

• Impulsivity/reflectivity is an established cognitive style (Kagan, 1965; Kagan, Moss, & Sigel, 1963) showing two extremes---one of which is denoted as impulsive and the other one reflective. The impulsive style is characterized by fast decisions of which the certainty of being correct is low whereas the reflective style denotes the preference for late decisions associated with a high degree of certainty.

• Most clinicians who administer individually administered Gf tests (as part of a comprehensive psychological assessment) often observe that an individual's degree of impulsive or reflective cognitive style can impact Gf test performance. Empirical upport for this clinical observation was reported by Schweizer (2002 - see reference above) who investigated the influence of impulsivity on reasoning in a sample of 108 high school and university students.

• In this study, impulsivity was operationally measured by the PRF Impulsivity Scale [Jackson, D. N. (1974). Manual for the Personality Research Form (2nd ed.). Goshen: Research Psychologists Press.], the MMPI Impulsivity Scale [Gough, H. G. (1957). California psychological inventory manual. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.] and the FPI Impulsiveness Scale [Fahrenberg, J., Hampel, R., & Selg, H. (1994). Das Freiburger Persdn- lichkeitsinventar FPI. 6. Aufl. G6ttingen: Hogrefe.]. Reasoning was measured by the Figural Reasoning Scale (Horn, W., 1983) and the Numeric/Alphabetical Reasoning Scale [Horn, W. (1983). Leistungs-Pruf-System. G6ttingen: Hogrefe.

• Structural equation modeling was applied to predict reasoning by means of an impulsivity composite variable. A path coefficient of -0.33 was reported. This result suggests the interpretation that a high degree of impulsivity impairs performance on reasoning (Gf) tasks. In this study, the -0.33 path coefficient can be interpreted as indicating that “for every one standard deviation change in impulsivity (in the direction of increased impulsivity), there was a 1/3 (.33) decrease in measured Gf.

• Reasoning (Gf) is a prominent instance of a complex mental activity. Since impulsivity tends to interrupt the execution of well-conceived behavioral plans, it is not surprising to find that an impulsive cognitive style can produce a negative a influence on cognitive tasks (viz., reasoning) where the processing demands are complex.Therefore, a disadvantageous influence of impulsivity on reasoning task performance measures can cause inappropriate responding in completing reasoning tasks (e.g.,. responding exceptionally fast and without a sufficient degree of certainty.

• The results of this study support the assumption that impulsivity influences reasoning. As concluded by the authors, this should be regarded as a sort of secondary influence since the reasoning (Gf) ability itself is presumably not impaired. Instead, impulsive people are prevented from performing according to their potential in that at times the concentration on a difficult problem is interrupted.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. iq testing. psychological testing. intelligence theory. impulsivity. fluid intelligence. Gf.

Music (Ga) and mental time-keeping models

Over the past few months I've made a number of posts re: synchronized metronome tapping interventions and the potential role of mental time-keeper cognitive models in a wide range of human performance domains.

My two posts this AM regarding the role of musical abilities and language/reading development reminded me (yep....my Glr is in high gear this AM) of a 1997 Annual Review of Psychology article on music which features the importance of mental time-keeper models in understanding music performance.

Hmmmm...music...internal mental time-keeping...synchronized metronome tapping...reading and language development. Something to ponder.

fa la la la la....

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. auditory processing. Ga. music.

More on music (Ga) and reading (Grw)

A few minutes after my earlier post today regarding musical abilities and language development my trusty Glr kicked in. I recalled writing about recent research that has demonstrated a link between musical abilities (Ga-U1, U9, U5) and reading development in young children. Below is the paragraph I wrote which is part of a CHC: Past, Present and Future on-line chapter.

• In a welcome contribution to the internal (structural) and external Ga validity literature, Anvari, Trainor, Woodside and Levy (2002) explored the relations between phonological awareness (PC), music perception, and early reading in a sample of 100 four- and five-year old children. Consistent with the above reviewed literature, factor analyses of the four Anvari et al. (2002) PC measures (rhyme generation, oddity, blending, and the Rosner task) revealed a single factor at both age levels. Exploratory analysis of the music tasks (same/different melody, same/different chord, chord analysis, same/different rhythm, and rhythm production tasks) revealed a single music factor for four-year olds and two factors (pitch perception; rhythm perception) for five-year olds. The musical factors appear to measures aspects of the Musical Discrimination and Judgment (U1, U9) and Sound- Frequency Discrimination (U5) reported by Carroll (1993). Moderate factor correlations (.33 to .59) supported the independence of the music perception and PC ability factors. Further support for separate music perception and PC abilities was the intriguing finding that “music perception skill predicts reading even after the variance shared with phonemic awareness is removed. This suggests that phonemic awareness and music perception ability tap some of the same basic auditory and/or cognitive skills needed for reading but that they each also tap unique processing skills” (Anvari et al., 2002, p.127).

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. auditory processing. Ga.
music.

Off task - Cute Overload top blog

Over at Bloglines (the feed service I use to receive automatic updates on posts to my favorite blogs) at site called Cute Overload has been near the top in terms of popular blogs most of this week. Warning...you may overdoes on cuteness.

Music (Ga) and language development

As usual, another great post on the Eide Neurolearning Blog today, this one about the role of music (Ga) in language development (Gc) and reading (Grw).

I recently did a quick literature search on recent empirical articles related to musical abilities and learning and cognition. A copy of the search results (including abstracts) can be found by clicking here.

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. brain. auditory processing. Ga. music.

More on conative abilities and achievement

Cognitive Dailey is providing more detail regarding the study previously noted on this blog (click here) re: importance of self-discipline (conative abilities), over intelligence, in predicting academic achievement.

fMRI Ga (US/UR) study abstract

Thanks to the Brain Blog for abstract of fMRI study on auditory attention (Ga-US/UR)

Technorati tags: neuropsychology. CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. Ga. auditory attention. brain.
neuroscience.

Brain/neuro-ethics

Thanks to the BrainEthics Blog for bringing a new book on "Neuroethics" to the attention of readers/scholars in the neurosciences. Given the almost daily developments in neuroscience research it is important that those working in the field (or those with an intellectual curiousity) address emerging ethical issues.

Technorati tags: neuropsychology. cognition. brain. neuroscience.

Quantoids corner - testing for perfect latent correlations

I've been neglecting my quantoid brother and sisters on this blog...sorry.

As someone who has run many SEM/CFA intelligence models that often include a test of whether two latent factors are unique (latent correlation not equal to 1.0), I found a recent article in the journal Structural Equation Modeling of interest. It is self-explanatory to those who posses QSL (quantoid-as-a-second-language).

Happy modeling!

Tim Keith.....are you out there? What do you think?

Technorati tags: statistics. SEM. structural equation modeling. psychology. intelligence.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing: Intelligence review article

I just stumbled across the following article that provides a relatively brief synthesis of 50 years of research on the intelligence of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. I have almost zero knowledge in research in this area....so I cannot judge the quality of the review. This is FYI for those who have an interest and expertise in this area.

McCay, V. (2005). Fifty years of research on the intelligence of deaf and hard-of-hearing children: A review of literature and discussion of implications. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 10(3), 225-231.

Technorati tags: hard of hearing. deaf. psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. iq testing. psychological testing.

Neuropsychology and learning disabilities

In the states there is a spirited discussion regarding the role of traditional cognitive assessment in the identification of learning disabilities. Those who conduct research and practice in the field of neuropsychology typically advocate for the continued use of state-of-the-art cognitive/neuropsychology measures grounded in contemporary research and theory.

For those wanting to get a flavor of this positition, there was a nice and brief overview article recently published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities. Below is the abstract and a link to a copy of the article. Happy reading.

SemrudClikeman, M. (2005). Neuropsychological aspects for evaluating learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(6), 563-568.

Article link

Abstract

• This review surveys the empirical literature for assessments of learning problems in children from a neuropsychological perspective. An evaluation of children with learning problems must consider measures of working memory, attention, executive function, and comprehension (listening and written), particularly for children who do not respond to intervention. These constructs must be tied to intervention techniques, and their connections must be empirically verified. The response-to-intervention (RTI) perspective provides excellent support for the process in young children but is still developing the process for students above the second grade. This review provides information about the existing research on neurobiological correlates of learning disabilities, possible areas for further evaluation, and the link to the RTI movement.

Technorati tags: learning disabilities. neuropsychology. psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. iq testing. brain. neuroscience.

Controversy in psychological study of intelligence

It is clear from listening to the papers presented at the ISIR conference earlier this month (click here for my first "blogging live from ISIR" post...then go forward and read the other posts), as well as a reading of some of the major psychology journals during the past year, that a number of "hot button" substantive topics (viz., Flynn Effect; nature of g; gender and race differences ) have bubbled back to the surface and are enjoying a new round of scholarly study and debate. Kudos to those involved...science must move forward despite potential controversies.

Doug Dettermen, editor of the premiere journal Intelligence, has recently provided an editorial comment on the treatment of controversial intelligence papers. Kudos to Dr. Dettermen for his position.

These are exciting times in the field of intelligence.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. iq testing. intelligence theory. gender differences. gender.
general intelligence. genetics. race. IQ differences. Flynn Effect.

Recent literature of interest 12-15-05 posted

For the past few years, over on the CHC listerv, I've been making weekly posts called "FYI@IAP - Recent Literature of Interest." The long story short is that I conduct weekly searches of most all social and behavioral sciences journals listed in Current Contents Social Sciences Index. I flag a wide variety of articles that are of interest to me and IAP (beyond just intelligence testing and theories).

Typically I've posted this weekly (and lengthy) list of FYI references to the CHC listserv. I'm now changing this practice.

Starting today (and if my Glr remains adequate and allows me to remember this decision), I'm going to be making these FYI posts via this blog. In addition, I will be posting a copy of each weekly search as a viewable/downloadable pdf file from my web page. For a while I will continue to make FYI posts (with a URL link to the appropriate blog post) to the CHC listserv, but in time, I will stop this practice. So....for those who are routine reviewers of this weekly service via the CHC listserv, you will need to start reading this blog with regularity if you do not want to miss the latest and greatest references this blogmaster flags.

This weeks "recent literature" of interest can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

Technorati tags: teaching tool. psychology.

Blogs as k-12 teaching tool

Blogging is catching on as a teaching tool in k-12 education according to an article in edweek.org. Click here to view copy of the article that I saved.

Technorati tags: blogging. education. teaching tool.

Off task - evolution of the alphabet animation

Thanks to Boing Boing for the post about a nice animation of the evolution of the Latin alphabet, from c. 900 BC to the Middle Ages. Very neat!!

IAP Reference Database updated

An updated version of the IAP on-line searchable literature database has bee posted and can be view/searched by clicking here. This custom literature database now has over 17,000 references.

Enjoy.

Blog update

Thanks to all the readers who keep coming back to this humble blog....your patronage is very reinforcing.

Be patient with me this week. I've returned from a week on the road with a heck of a bad winter cold (headache; nasal congestion; sore throat; cough). I'm not operating on all cylinders. But, I shall continue to post as I can and hopefully will be back up to steam in the near future.

The IQ blogmaster.....K. McGrew

New brain channel

Thanks to Mind Hacks for a very nice post regarding the online "brain channel" at NewSci. I found the clickable/interactive brain map particuarly interesting and useful as a possible teaching tool.

Technorati tags: teaching tool. psychology. intelligence. cognition. brain.

Conative abilities are important for school success

Lets here it for the importance of conative (non-cognitive) abilities in understanding and predicting school success. A post over at the BPS blog that showed that sefl-discipline better predicted school success than IQ.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. iq testing. intelligence theory. general intelligence. conative.

Different learning during night and day?

An interesting post re: "different kinds of learning occur during night and day" over at the British Psychological Society Blog

West Coast Neuropsych Conference 2006 conference

Today I receieved a copy of the preliminary conference schedule for the 2006 West Coast Neuropsychology Conference (March 23-26). I believe it is in San Diego. I will post additional information as I receive it.

Low birth weight and learning - new Finnish study

New Finish study that continues to support link between low birth weight and learning disorders. Thanks Myomancy for the post.

Brain "tunning" / synchronization -- hmmmmmm

A number of unrelated research data points that have come across my inbox (cortex) during the past few weeks have suggested, at least to my quirky cortex, the there may be something important happening regarding our understanding of the ability to improve mental performance as a function of neural plasticity. In particular, within the past few weeks I've made posts (with links to research) re:

• Improvements in human performance (including cognitive and achievement) as a result of synchronized metronome tapping intervention (with possible explanations lying in mental time-keeping [temporal tracking] cognitive models), and
  
• Brain "tuning" research, and
• Neurplasticity in adulthood
  

While at ISIR I was sent a pre-publication copy of an interesting article by Stankov and his colleagues (Stankov was the first psychometric/intelligence researcher to posit a temporal tracking ability) that seems related. The article (click here to view) reported the relationship between brain phase syncrhonization and CHC abilities. I couldn't help but see a possible common thread across all these data points.....namely, the relationship between cognitive abilities and brain synchronization/tuning.

I need to cogitate on this stuff more. These data points are indeed interesting. What are the implications for assessment? What are the implications for possible cognitive/achievement interventions. My somewhat synchronized brain wants to know.

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. educational psychology. intelligence theory. brain. neuroscience.
interactive metronome.

Excercising old brains - use it or lose it

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal this past week regarding the neural plasticity in old age. I couldn't find a link to the original article online, but with the help of a friend, was able to get an e-copy of the text which I have pdf'd for viewing by clicking here

"Use it or lose" it is still the appropriate mantra.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. brain. neuroscience.

Nature Neuroscience papers posted

Brief summaries of the following "in press" articles at Nature Neuroscience have just been posted to the Action Potential Blog

• Dapretto et al., Understanding emotions in others: mirror neuron dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders
• Aragona et al., Nucleus accumbens dopamine differentially mediates the formation and maintenance of monogamous pair bonds
• Hofer et al., Prior experience enhances plasticity in adult visual cortex
• Naeini et al., An N-terminal variant of Trpv1 channel is required for osmosensory transduction

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. brain. neuroscience.

15 minute intro to blogging

I ran across a nice "15 minute intro to blogging" while sitting in the Mpls airport just now. If you want to better understand what blogging is all about, with examples from education, check out the link to "Thinking Outloud"

Technorati tags: blog. blogging.

ISIR 2005 conference final note

ISIR 2005 is over. A damn good conference. For those interested in research and theory in intelligence, this is THE premiere conference. Also, it is very unique as it is a small fraternity/sorority of scholars who have been talking, disagreeing, etc for decades. The conference typically has around 50 in attendance, which results in a program where everyone watches and discusses every presentation in a single room. This results in a very rich and deep level of intellectual interchange and a very open and comfortable atmosphere, even for those of us who feel like we are simply lucky to be in the same room with these giants (Hunt, Gottfredson, Widaman, Bouchard, Lubinksi, etc.).

I look forward with great anticipation to next years conference in San Francisco. Finally, kudos to Doug Detterman and his students for coordinating yet another great meeting.

ISIR blog # 19 blogging live - KABC-II, CHC and Spearman's law of diminishing returns

Installment #19 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Reynolds & Keith. A test of Spearman’s law of diminishing returns in the Kauffman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition.

From Program Abstract

• According to Spearman’s “law of diminishing returns,” positive correlations among cognitive ability tests are higher in low ability groups versus high ability groups. Raw data from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition standardization sample were studied to determine if the phenomenon is present in this intelligence battery. The sample used in this study included 2175 participants ranging from 7 to 18 years in age. The sample was split into two groups: One group included individuals who had a Fluid-Crystallized Index (FCI) of 100 or below (low IQ group) and a second group included those who had a FCI of above 100 (high IQ group). The FCI is comparable to a Full Scale IQ score.

• Principal component analyses were used to replicate a previous study of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised (Jensen, 2003). Confirmatory factor analyses using nested factor models were used to answer questions related to the changes in factor variances, subtest loadings on the g factor, and intercorrelations among broad ability factors. Results from the PCAs indicated that the law of diminishing returns was present in the KABC-II, although it was not produced uniformly across the subtests. Results from the CFAs indicated that higher g is associated with lower g variance, a depression of subtests’ g loadings, and lower intercorrelations between the broad ability factors. The law of diminishing returns was present in the KABC-II: g appears less general and more differentiated in a high IQ group compared to a low IQ group. This phenomenon was not produced uniformly across subtests, but it was also not produced only by the subtests with the weakest g loadings.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. educational psychology. iq testing. intelligence theory. general intelligence. IQ differences. CHC Theory. KABC-II.

ISIR blog # 18 - CHC Flynn effect study

Installment #18 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM. http://www.isironline.org/

Wicherts. Flynn effect in the Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Ability and Achievement Tests, 1976-1999.

Program Abstract

• There has been an extensive debate concerning the nature, causes, and implications of the secular increase of scores on cognitive ability tests (i.e., the Flynn Effect). The aim of this study is to compare the scores on unaltered subtests across the US standardization samples of the Woodcock-Johnson (WJ; Woodcock & Johnson, 1977), the Woodcock-Johnson-R (WJ-R; Woodcock & Johnson, 1989) and the Woodcock-Johnson-III (WJ-III; Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001). Structural equation modeling with mean structure is employed to shed light on the precise nature of the trend in scores on both the cognitive ability and achievement tests. In addition, with tests of measurement invariance (i.e., the absence of measurement bias) with respect to cohorts and periods, it is investigated whether score gains could be attributed to latent increases in ability or to measurement artifacts such as heightened test sophistication. Moreover, we consider trends over time with age held constant (e.g., 30-40 year-olds in 1976 vs. 2000), as well as differences between cohorts (e.g., those born in the 1950s vs. those born in the 1960s). Disentangling cohort effects from time-of-measurement effects may contribute to our understanding of the Flynn Effect, because the causes of these two types of effects are different. For instance, hypotheses concerning the effects of nutrition, family size, and heterosis are related only to cohorts, whereas most hypotheses concerning test artifacts are related to time-of-measurement.

Live Presentation Comments

• Recent Dutch studies have demonstrated the importance of evaluating the comparability of samples compared - possible sample selection bias may confound Flynn effect findings.
• Recent research by presentor has suggested that Flynn effect is more subtest (individual test) specific...and may be reflecting changes in specific/narrow abilites (test specificity) over time.

WJR/WJ III findings/comments

• Advantage over prior research is use of contemporary CHC theory
• Preliminary findings.....only on subset of cognitive tests. More will be analyzed later.
• Used common items across editions. Rasch equated scales provided common metric across editions.
• Author suggests 4 possible level sources of gain/change that need to be investigated (and which he is investigating): g, broad abilities, test specific abilities (Spearman's "s"), DIF/item drift. Presentor criticizes Flynn for dumping all these sources together....ignoring them. Presentor is using multiple group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) in current research.
• Presentor is using demographic variables from both editions to re-weight norm samples to control for sampling differences across time.

General findings.

• MGCFA to investigate the 4 level sources above. Concluded -- way to much to summarize. I need to listen...sorry. Wicherts research results will be interesting and need to be monitored by serious intelligence scholars.
• Flynn effect not present in children and adolescents (Flynn effect over?) but present in adult samples.
• Mean difference changes (over time) are related to g and some due to changes in subtest specific/narrow and broad abilities.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. educational psychology. iq testing. intelligence theory. general intelligence. IQ differences. CHC theory. WJ III. Woodcock Johnson.

ISIR blog # 17 blog live - Flynn effect study # 1

Installment #17 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Beaujean & Osterlind. Assessing the Lynn-Flynn effect in the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination.

Program Abstract

• This study examined the Lynn-Flynn Effect (LFE) using data from the Mathematics section of the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (Osterlind, & Merz, 1990) from 1996 to 2001. This study used Item Response Theory (IRT) methods to assess the magnitude of change in cognitive abilities, because, as Beaujean (2005) showed, under certain conditions, score comparison methods derived from Classical Test Theory (CTT) are unable to distinguish between real rises in cognitive abilities (Lynn, 1989) and mere psychometric artifacts (Burt, 1952; Brand, 1989)---a limitation IRT comparison methods were able to overcome. This study found a trend similar to that of Sundet, Barlaug, and Torjussen (2004) and Teasdale and Owen (in press), namely a dysgenic effect since the mid-1990s.

Live presentor comments

• IRT can help ascertain true differences in abilities over time which can be confounded by changes in item difficulties over time (in CTT).
• IRT can be used to equate item difficulties on a common scale across test editions--to allow generation of ability estimates, across test editons, on a common ability (latent trait) scale.
• [Blogster editorial comment - Caution in interpretation. Sample size n= 619 and measures are achievement/academic measures]
• Found reverse Flynn Effect. Speculated that Flynn Effect research based on CTT (which is most of it) may have overestimated the Flynn Effect.
• From the audience (Earl Hunt) - need to consider that effects may be due to changes in the college populations over times.
• From the audience (Bouchard) - study demonstrates the importance of researchers/organizations finding a way to archive items to allow this better methodology across time.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. educational psychology. iq testing. intelligence theory. general intelligence. IQ differences. Flynn Effect.

ISIR blog # 16 - 2006 ISIR conference

Installment #16 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

It was announced today that next years ISIR conference (2006) will be from Dec 7-9 in San Francisco. Put on your calendars now.

Technorati tags: intelligence. cognition.

ISIR blog #15 NOT-live - reality check

The reality of live blogging caught up with me today. I started off with good intentions here at the ISIR conference. I had written a considerable amount on a bunch of papers presented during an intelligence/gender difference symposium and the wifi signal from the hotel kept dying. Whenever it died, when I reconnected, I often found the text I had written as unuseable. I encountered a bunch of "html code" errors when I tried to save and post. After reconstructing everything from scratch a third time, and again having the same problem, I capitulated.

Lesson learned. Wifi live blogging has a large error term. A direct connection would seem to be desirable. I've not decided if I will try again tomorrow during the last day of the conference. We shall see.

This has been interesting.

Coffee addiction

Damn...no sooner than I post a link to information that suggests that coffee can be good for you (this morning) and another study is reported (Science Blog) that deals with the darker side of caffeine addiction......and its possible genetic relation to alchohol addiction.

ISIR blog #14 live blogging - predicting adult IQ from infancy measures

Installment #14 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Fagan, Holland & Wheller. The prediction from infancy, of adult IQ and achievement.

Program Abstract

• A sample of 66 young adults (18 to 24 years old), who were originally tested at 6 to 12 months of age on the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence (FTII) for their ability to recognize briefly presented photos of previously unfamiliar faces were recently revisited. A current estimate of IQ was obtained from each. A measure of achievement was derived by computing the ratio of years of education attained divided by current age. The intellectual functioning of the sample at 21.9 years, (SD 1.3 years) was in the average range with a mean IQ of 106.7 (SD 14.4). The average educational level achieved was 14.2 years (SD 2.2). Information processing ability estimated during the first 6-12 months of life was predictive of adult IQ (r = .34 p < .006) and of academic achievement (r = .25 p < .05). Corrected for unreliability, these coefficients are r = .59 and r = .44, respectively. The present results support earlier studies indicating the continuity of intelligence from infancy and illustrate the validity of basic measures of information processing for the long-term prediction of achievement.
  

• Comment. Although correlations reportedare statistically significant, and important for theory building and research, they fall far short of the magnitude necessary to make any reasonable predictions regarding any particular individual.
  

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. educational psychology. iq testing. psychological testing. intelligence theory.

ISIR blog live # 13 - factorial invariance method article for quantoids

Installment #13 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Widaman. Factorial invariance and the representation of within-groups and between-groups differences: A reconsideration

Finally, a presentation for the quantoids in the audience (including Tim Keith and author of that hot new book on multiple regression--Multiple Regression and Beyond)! I've always made it a point to read most all of Keith Widaman's SEM/CFA writings.......both methodological and substantive.

Quick decision - this presentation is too complicated for me to track and summarize live (PPT slides with matrix algebra - my "matrix-algebra-as-a-second-language" abilities have decayed since graduate school). Below is the program abstact. Link to Widaman's web page is above. Link to article he is refuting is embedded in the abstract below.


Program Abstract

In a recent paper in Intelligence, Lubke, Dolan, Kelderman, and Mellenbergh (2003) argued that factorial invariance had implications for the study of within-group and between-group differences. Lubke et al. identified several levels of factorial invariance, the most restrictive being strict factorial invariance in which factor loadings, manifest variable intercepts, and unique factor variances are invariant across groups. Lubke et al. argued that a finding of strict factorial invariance implies, at a mathematical level, that the sources of within-group differences are identical to the sources of between-group differences. Several implications of this claim were drawn, such as the claim that a finding of high heritability of within-group differences (i.e., within-group differences are due primarily to differences in genetic endowment) implies that between-group differences are also due to genetic sources of variance. In 1974, Lewontin posed a thought experiment in which between-group differences were due to completely different sources than within-group differences. Lubke et al. argued that data consistent with the Lewontin thought experiment would lead to a rejection of strict factorial invariance if a model were fit to such data.

The core of the present presentation is to dispute the central conclusion offered by Lubke et al. The most important issue is the relation between levels of factorial invariance and the claim that strict invariance implies that between-group and within-group differences are due to the same underlying causes. First, the multiple-group confirmatory factor model will be described, together with increasing levels of factorial invariance (configural, weak, strong, and strict). Then, the central conclusion by Lubke et al. will be described as being due either to a linguistic error or to an error in conceiving the relation between parameters and sources of variance in hypothetical examples Lubke et al. considered. If strict factorial invariance holds, then the latent variables underlying the manifest variables are responsible for (a) within-group differences on the manifest variables, and (b) between-group differences in mean and variance on the manifest variables. Therefore, the latent variables, or factors, are mathematical entities that represent or embody all information about within- and between-group differences on the manifest variables. However, these latent factors can be combinations of genetic and environmental variance, and different combinations of genetic and environmental sources of variance can influence within- and between-group differences on the manifest variables.
Two simulated data sets designed to embody competing hypotheses for the Lewontin thought experiment will be described. In one data set, the sources of within-group differences are also responsible for between-group differences; in the second data set, the sources of within-group differences explain none of the between-group differences. Consideration of these data sets leads to the formulation of rules for study design that will enable a test of the hypothesis that sources of within-group differences are also responsible for between-group differences. The implications of these findings for research on intelligence are then explicated.

Technorati tags: factor analysis. statistics. psychology. genetics.

ISIR blog live # 12 - Day 2

Installment #11 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

This is day 2 from ISIR. Posts will be less frequent, primarily because the second half of the day is going to be hosted at the "Mind Institute" away from the conference hotel. I doubt I will have wifi access. The PM symposium is on brain imaging studies. I might try to take notes and post later.

More later on AM presentations of interest.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence.

Coffee's effect on the brain

As I am sitting here in a hotel room in Albuquerque, NM drinking my morning coffee, I was pleased to discover a post over at Mind Hacks re: a study that suggests that coffee may have a positive effect on the frontal cortex (and executive functioning).

I think I'll have another cup, 2, 3, or....9.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. education. frontal cortex. executive functioning. Coffee. brain. neuroscience.

Quote to note - psychology

An interesting quote at the ISIR conference...source unkown. "In most sciences there is recognition that most accomplishments occur by standing on the shoulders of giants [this comes from Merton]---but---in psychology we tend to stand on our predecessors faces." :)

Specialized Ga (auditory) novelty neurons?

An interesting post over on What's Next in Science & Technology re: the identification of specialized neurons that allow the brain to focus on novel sounds [Ga domain?].

Technorati tags: CHC theory. psychology. intelligence. cognition. intelligence theory. brain. neuroscience. auditory processing. Ga.

ISIR blog live # 10 - ISIR John B. Carroll award

Wendy Johnson received the ISIR John B. Carroll award for methodolgy and intelligence. Kudos for a U of Minnesota student. Go gophers.

ISIR blog live # 9 - More evolutionary psychology on mate selection

Here is installment #8 of my blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Yes...more evolutionary psychology stuff and intelligence. That is the theme of all papers today. More practical papers come the next two days. Stay tunned. Remember, I'm more-or-less just regurgitating what is presented...not endorsing it.....this (evolutionary psychology) is NOT my area of expertise.

Miller. Mutual mate choice for intelligence as a fitness indicator.

I had a hard time focusing after lunch, so my comments for this paper are more haphazard and ADHD-driven.

The three major models advanced to explain the evolution of human intelligence:

• Survivalists models - those who developed better tools dominated and survived. Bigger brains did better.
• Social intelligence models - More clever brains can manipulate less clever brains...and thus, the clever brains survive and evolve.
• Group competition models - larger, smarter, better organized groups do better and survive and evolve.

Miscenallenous tidbits:

• Mutual mate choice for good genes.
• The average human offspring has 2 to 4 harmful genetic mutations. Most mutations impair mutiple traits.
• Mutations constantly erode adaptive design of all species. Therefore, the goal of mate choice is to minimize the mutattions in offspring.
• Mate choice focuses on complex information traits called fitness indicators.

The presentor has devloped an algorithm (go figure) called the "fitness matching model." Not enough time/space here to describe. If you want more information, check out his book. Also check out some independent comments on his work.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. intelligence theory. general intelligence. evolution. evolutionary psychology. genetics. mate selection.

ISIR blog live # 8 - Geary on the origin and evolution of human mind/brain

Installment #8 of blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Geary. The Origin of Mind: Evolution of Brain, Cognition, and General Intelligence.

The gist of Geary's presentation is the explanation of human brain (intelligence) evolution via three classes of pressures. As summarized in much of the evolutionary psych literature are the classes of climactic and biological pressures. Beyond these, Geary focused primarily on social pressures....which are breifly summarized below. I think I'm going to put Geary's book on my holiday wish gift list.

Social pressures - Ecological dominance--that is, controlling the environments where the climactic and biological pressures operate. A struggle with other people for control of the ecologies. According to Geary, "the primary dynamic that has driven and is currently driving human evolution is competition with other people and groups of other people for resource control (e.g., of other people, food, and land)...social competition results in variability in social dynamics and through this creates pressures for the elaboration of systems of brain and mind that can anticipate, mentally represent, and devise behavioral strategies to cope with these complex social dynamics."

"These systems create self-centered mental models that enable the simulation of the ‘perfect world’, a world in which other people behave in ways consistent with one’s best interest, and biological and physical resources are under one’s control: These mental models enable people to devise behavioral strategies to cope with the actions of others and to better compete with others for social influence and resource control. The systems that evolved to support the use of mental models are known as general fluid intelligence (Gf), working memory (Gsm-MW), and attentional control (executive function) [Note....CHC info in parentheses added by me...the blogmaster]. The combination of these systems...is the foundation upon which human intellectual and cultural advances have been built.

According to Geary, our primate ancestors could not engage in the ability to imagine this "perfect world"....thus, explaining, in part, why the human brain incrementally evolved. Gf, working memory, and attentional control, which seem to be located primarily in the prefrontal cortex, are hypothesized to have allowed humans to do "future thinking", "mental simulations", "self-awareness", etc. For those who could do it well, this resulted in ecological dominance. These individuals had a better chance of survival and passing on their genes and in turn, the evolution of higher and higher Gf, working memory, etc.


Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. intelligence theory. general intelligence. evolution. evolutionary psychology. fluid intelligence. working memory. attention. Gf. Gsm.

"Tuning" the brain

Interesting article on the Science Blog re: the coordination of brain regions via "tuning." Now...a key question is what interventions/treatments can help us better "tune" our brains to increase efficient performance.

Technorati tags: psychology.
intelligence. cognition. brain. neuroscience.

ISIR blog live # 5 update - mate selection, intelligence & creativity

Here is installment #5 of my blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

More potentially controversial research to share around the water cooler.

Prokosch. Intelligence and Mate Choice

• "The role that intelligence plays in human mate choice was examined. A large amount of research indicates that intelligence is an important criterion when selecting for a potential partner, and this preference varies both between sexes, with women valuing it more than men, and according to which mating strategy, long-term vs. short-term, one adopts. The question that remains to be answered is why such a preference has evolved. Most research has assumed that intelligence functions to indicate direct parental investment and resource acquisition, especially in males. However, there is also a possibility that intelligence functions to indicate indirect “good genes” benefits apart from any direct payoffs. In order to assess the plausibility of both mechanisms, this study examined five empirical questions:"

The presentor attempted to answer the following questions via the following research design.

Three groups of 5 males were selected for female evaluation (mean age =19; college students). Males were ordered on a measure of Gc (WAIS-III Vocabulary). 204 normal ovulating woman randomly viewed (3 minute videos) and rated each male (controlled for physical attraction). Male behavioral data was collected using video-recordings, and women then made various assessments based on relative male performance. Menstrual cycle data and objective intelligence measures were also collected.

1) How accurate are women at assessing intelligence given only brief exposure?

• In general, they were accurate (significant linear trend).

2) How important is intelligence in a potential long-term mate?

• Males that were brighter were viewed more positively as a potential long-term mate.

3) How important is intelligence in a short-term mate?

• Same as conclusion in # 2. But physical attractiveness was a strong predictor in a short-term context. In addition, when a "creativity" variable was entered, it was more important than Gc (with an interaction with female intelligence -- brighter females preferred creativity more, than lower ability females,in a short-term context)

4) Does female conception risk influence either the accuracy of assessing intelligence or the preference for intelligence?

• Nope. Probability of conception (a function of woman's cycle) was not related to accuracy of perception of intelligence and/or preference for higher intelligence in long- and short-term contexts. However, there was a significant short/long-term context by probabilty of conception (time during menstral cycle) interaction----greater preference for creativity in a short-term context.

5) Does the degree of female intelligence influence the accuracy of assessing intelligence or the preference for intelligence?

• Nope...no significant relationship found.

Hmmmmm....I'm not going to suggest any practical implications what-so-over.....this is too potentially controversial. But again, much of the evolutionary psychology research can be great for cocktail conversations.

Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. cognition. general intelligence. mate selection. evolution. evolutionary psychology. creativity.

ISIR blog live # 4 update - Innovation, accidents and the evolution of intelligence

Here is installment #4 of my blogging "live" from the Internaltional Society for Intelligence Research (ISIR) 2005 conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Again....a paper with not much immediate practical value...except maybe for generating interesting cocktail trivia conversations. "In press" copy of the paper is available at Dr. Gottfredson's web page.

Gottfredson. Innovation, Fatal Accidents, and the Evolution of General Intelligence

Paper Abstract

• Since the 1970s, most evolutionary psychologists have conceptualized human intelligence as an aggregation of many independent, highly specific problem-solving modules, much like a Swiss army knife (Tooby & Cosmides, 1992). Some now cite the evidence for a g factor to argue that human intelligence is domain general. Their favored explanation for its evolution is that runaway selection for the ability to manipulate conspecifics was unleashed within groups when humans gained mastery over their external environment (“ecological dominance”; e.g., Geary, 2005). However, their explanadum is actually a postulated social or Machiavellian intelligence, which leaves g unexplained. I compile evidence from psychometrics, job analysis, personnel selection, accident analysis, and hunter-gatherer societies to show how external ecological forces could, in fact, have selected for g during the last half million years and also accelerated its selection after Homo sapiens emerged about 150,000 years ago.
• The following facts illustrate one such mechanism that could have selected for higher g: (1) fatal accidents (unintentional injuries) are a major cause of death in all societies, including the most technologically primitive (e.g., the Ache, !Kung), (2) fatal accidents disproportionately kill reproductive-age individuals, usually males while engaged in provisioning-related activities, (3) preventing accidents and limiting the injury they cause is highly g loaded, (4) hazards are ubiquituous in daily life, myriad in kind, and low-probability killers, so they tax attentional resources while tempting neglect, and (5) the fruits of provisioning competence are widely shared within human groups, but provisioning-related injuries are not. Daily life’s myriad hazards are like lightly g-loaded items on a very long mental test for avoiding accidental death: no single one matters much, but they cumulate over time and individuals to disproportionately cull the lower-g members of a group.
• Most hazards are evolutionarily novel because they are by-products of human innovations. While innovations lowered absolute rates of mortality, the new hazards increased g-related relative risk of death from unintentional injury. Rate of selection for g could have accelerated (i.e., g-related relative risk of death increased) when humans began flooding their EEA with innovations (fire for cooking and hunting, weapons, tools, rafts, etc.) whose hazards could exceed the limits of normal human tolerance (crushing, piercing, poisoning, drowning, brain trauma, etc.). I describe specific mechanisms that could have accelerated selection for g since the speciation of Homo sapiens: double jeopardy, the Spearman-Brown pump, spiraling complexity, contagion of error, and the migration ratchet. The general thesis is that the most powerful ecological forces selecting for g were not the joint threats to survival that riveted the attention of early human groups (starvation, warfare, etc.), but the relentless parade of less obvious, less compelling threats to the survival of individuals, one by one.

Presentor aruged that human "innovation" was the primary variable that influenced the probability of accidents and subsequent evolution of general intelligence. For example, more innovations-->more complexity-->more hazards-->bigger consequences (accidents and risk)-----results in more "pruning" of low end of g distribution. That is.....brighter people in populations increase innovation, that via the sequence above, results in greater risk of accidents and deaths for the entire population, which, because of their lower g, results in greater death among those low in intelligence....thus resulting in general increase in g over time.

Hmmmm. Brighter people make life more risky for the rest of the population?


Technorati tags: psychology. intelligence. intelligence theory. general intelligence. evolution. evolutionary psychology.