intelligence

Hello FES

I've been sniffing around here for about a year now, and it has lead me to the conclusion that this is the only place i might be able to get a wellfounded answer/theories about my question.

i'm interested in what you guys, you guys being who's interested enough to post a reply, think about the human intelligence, whether it is genetic[ally] inheritable or it is solely based on the enviroment each individual grows up in.
wondering whether these "super intelligent" people, in Mensa, are just some genetic exceptions, or if they have been exposed to an extraordinary outside influence of some sort.

In advance i must apologise for making my first post a topic, and in some way a request i guess, i hope there will be an interesting debate, to compensate for that.

Scientific American Mind had a story on this awhile ago regarding how each generation is so much more intelligent than the last. Main factors point to genetic, with obviously an environment factor helping sculpt and form any future intelligence.

I always find this genetics vs environment debate to be subtlety ironic. Our genetics, features, and brain chemistry are just as much a part of the environment as anything else, until we mentally separate ourselves from the rest of the world. To say that DNA in combination with sensory perception define our future selves is a correct notion, but both really boil down to the preset workings of the universe.

Quote from: ﮎingulaЯiτy on April 26, 2009, 08:52:38 AM

I always find this genetics vs environment debate to be subtlety ironic. Our genetics, features, and brain chemistry are just as much a part of the environment as anything else, until we mentally separate ourselves from the rest of the world. To say that DNA in combination with sensory perception define our future selves is a correct notion, but both really boil down to the preset workings of the universe.

It isn't ridiculous because it is a question of whether intelligence is an inheritable trait or is a result of outside factors. I'm voting it is very much a genetic trait but like anything else must have the proper stimulation to develop.

1. Linguistic
    Children with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.
2. Logical-Mathematical
    Children with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.
3. Bodily-Kinesthetic
    These kids process knowledge through bodily sensations. They are often athletic, dancers or good at crafts such as sewing or woodworking.
4. Spatial
    These children think in images and pictures. They may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing, building with Leggos or daydreaming.
5. Musical
    Musical children are always singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss. These kids are often discriminating listeners.
6. Interpersonal
    Children who are leaders among their peers, who are good at communicating and who seem to understand others' feelings and motives possess interpersonal intelligence.
7. Intrapersonal
    These children may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

i agree that the genetic part is some sort of starting potential which you have to stimulate to get any use of.

what bothers me is these 7 intelligences, i think it was gardner who introduced them, theri purpose seems to be to make everyone smart in their own way. is it completely intolerable that some people today aren't just plain stupid.

Quote

1. Linguistic
    Children with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.
2. Logical-Mathematical
    Children with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.
3. Bodily-Kinesthetic
    These kids process knowledge through bodily sensations. They are often athletic, dancers or good at crafts such as sewing or woodworking.
4. Spatial
    These children think in images and pictures. They may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing, building with Leggos or daydreaming.
5. Musical
    Musical children are always singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss. These kids are often discriminating listeners.
6. Interpersonal
    Children who are leaders among their peers, who are good at communicating and who seem to understand others' feelings and motives possess interpersonal intelligence.
7. Intrapersonal
    These children may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.

in my oppinion this excuse to call people smart, when they're good at at least one single thing, is ridiculous.

The was an interesting experiment conducted on nematode worms a while ago, when the researchers trained the worms to perform certain actions for food.  They then ground the worms up and fed them to a group of worms that had not known the trick, and sure enough the new worms started performing the trick, as if expecting a reward.  How much this links to human intelligence, I'll leave for you to debate, since the crossover is not direct.  Very interesting though!

Actually, I was always told that a more direct way of testing intelligence is to look at how easily someone learns new things. Is this wrong, or just badly worded?

Actually, I was always told that a more direct way of testing intelligence is to look at how easily someone learns new things. Is this wrong, or just badly worded?

Ah, but there are some people that retain everything they ever hear very well but couldn't apply any of their knowledge if they had to.

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:25:54 PM

Ah, but there are some people that retain everything they ever hear very well but couldn't apply any of their knowledge if they had to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

Quote from: astrofan on April 27, 2009, 04:27:55 PM

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:25:54 PM

Ah, but there are some people that retain everything they ever hear very well but couldn't apply any of their knowledge if they had to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

Yes, that was what I was thinking of, usually people with slight autism or aspbergers. I've also had one proffessor who was slightly autistic but was a GENIUS at math. It was amazing to watch him work.

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:31:14 PM

Quote from: astrofan on April 27, 2009, 04:27:55 PM

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:25:54 PM

Ah, but there are some people that retain everything they ever hear very well but couldn't apply any of their knowledge if they had to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

Yes, that was what I was thinking of, usually people with slight autism or aspbergers. I've also had one proffessor who was slightly autistic but was a GENIUS at math. It was amazing to watch him work.

Autism can affect both of your descriptions of intelligence, being able to remember things and being able to apply it. I was in a group with some Aspergers. One of them could not function but could remember facts, He just couldn't put them to use. With me I see math and understand it, Only problem is because I thought it intuitively obvious so I didn't show work. In Calc based physics for the first semester so I got a B+. Even thou I almost always got the right answer.

Intelligent chicks, however, are completely different.

Quote from: Wendy on April 27, 2009, 04:47:57 PM

Intelligent chicks, however, are completely different.

Oxymoron.
I'm joking. I actually agree.

There are some intelligent women. They just are a miracle to find. My current woman is about to give a speech to 2,500 people.

There are some intelligent women. They just are a miracle to find. My current woman is about to give a speech to 2,500 people.

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:53:12 PM

There are some intelligent women. They just are a miracle to find. My current woman is about to give a speech to 2,500 people.

So you admit Sarah Palin is intelligent?

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:53:12 PM

There are some intelligent women. They just are a miracle to find. My current woman is about to give a speech to 2,500 people.

So you admit Sarah Palin is intelligent?

Quote from: Raist on April 27, 2009, 04:53:12 PM

There are some intelligent women. They just are a miracle to find. My current woman is about to give a speech to 2,500 people.

Is she the bag lady on Times Square?

I suppose I don't count as an intelligent chick then *sigh*