This question was on the Chapter 11 assignment... and it seemed like it was developed through time. But mostly through experiences and brain development.. not actively changing it! This makes sense.. but according to this New York Times article (thanks Rachel for the idea), there's now a way that we can actively increase our intelligence.
People who play this game (both children and adults) have showed improvement in their fluid intelligence. Although psychologists have believed that crystallized intelligence grows as we age, fluid intelligence peaks in early adulthood and then starts to decline gradually. Additionally, it seems that fluid intelligence, until now, has been unaffected by training.
This is the premise of IQ tests (atleast the part testing fluid intelligence) - they can test now and predict things in the future (since fluid intelligence is rather fixed). So how could this weird cat game change all of this? Because it targets working memory - which is essential to fluid intelligence - it allows us to remember what we're working with, and to manipulate that information. This game, apparently, trains and increases the working memory, which increases our basic cognitive skills that help us for many complex tasks. Many have used this so far - those with brain damage, kids with ADHD, and those hoping to up their job performance.
The article is much longer, but this is what the game is about. It's really interesting that not only was such a thing created, but it seems to actually be working. I think it just fits in with what we have said about psychology all along: it's constantly changing.. we're always building on to what we've previously thought and finding that some things aren't what we thought.
James! Oh my gooness! I am shlepping nachas! Loved the NYT article and your article! I wonder what they'll be saying about things like this 10 years from now. What if somebody isn't good at this game- is there hope for them? Blah. The topic of intelligence is so interesting and so frustrating at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the game called? I want to get my hands on that. :)
ReplyDeleteThis makes sense for a lot of reasons. One main one that I think makes it the most sense is that it is basically making us use are brain. Like anything if you use it it won't get old and rusty. The more we practice and use our brain the better it will work. I wonder if in a few years from now everyone will be sitting around playing brain games trying to get smarter.