IQ science & IQ facts

How to define intelligence? Fluid G & Crystallized G

General intelligence (G) can be factored into fluid intelligence (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc). Both define intelligence and both are measured by IQ tests, often in a combined score. 

Our fluid intelligence (Gf) is our on-the-spot reasoning and problem solving ability, not dependent on background knowledge, education or any specific expertise. It enables us to see relationships and learn quickly in new situations. It can be thought of as our general level of information processing efficiency and is rooted in biology. Our fluid intelligence enables us to fluidly:

• reason 
• plan 
• solve problems 
• think abstractly - verbally, numerically or spatially 
• understand complex ideas, analogies & relationships 
• learn quickly from experience 

 
Our crystallized intelligence (Gc) is ability that depends on knowledge and expertise acquired through experience, education and training. It depends on what we learn from our surrounding culture, and may be tested by vocabulary, arithmetic or general knowledge in IQ tests. It is the ability to apply learned skills & knowledge in long term memory storage to solve problems. Fluid intelligence invests in building areas of crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence is more likely to decline with age than crystallized intelligence which remains more constant through the life span, and may continue to improve throughout life with experience and learned skill.

The brain - intelligence connection

Our fluid intelligence (Gf) is based on brain plasticity of three brain structures: the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex and the hippocampus. 'Brain plasticity' is the ability of brain to reorganise itself by growing new brain cells (adult neurogenesis) and new or stronger connections between brain cells (synaptic plasticity). Brain nutrients, brain supplements, physical exercise and specific brain training exercises have been shown to increase brain plasticity or improve energy supply in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex - thus improving brain function, fluid intelligence and IQ. 
  

IQ tests: What is an average IQ? What is superior intelligence?

Individuals differ in their levels of intelligence & standardized IQ tests (such as the WAIS-IV) give us a valid and reliable measure of those individual differences. IQ tests measure fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence, giving a combined score. IQ scores have a distribution that looks like a bell curve. Tests are designed so that the average IQ score is 100. In this graph, you can see that 68% of the population has an IQ score between 85 and 115. Around 2% of the population has an IQ greater than 130 which is a ‘very superior’ intelligence or 'gifted' intelligence. This is the IQ needed to become a member of Mensa. An IQ of 120 or more is considered ‘superior intelligence'. An IQ of 124 is needed to become a member of the International High IQ Society.

The 'IQ bell curve' for IQ test scores

To learn more about intelligence testing click here. To take a free online IQ test click on the link below:

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Nature vs nurture intelligence influences?

We differ in intelligence levels because of differences in both nature and nurture -our genetic makeup (the genes we inherit from our parents) & our environments (upbringing, education, experience, training). Reviews of family, adoption and twin studies put beyond doubt that intelligence differences are largely due to our genetic makeup. The nature vs nurture intelligence ratio has been measured in different studies as being between 50:50 to 70:30.

Fluid intelligence  is fixed in stone: 40 year myth

Most IQ scientists for the past 4 decades viewed fluid intelligence - our 'raw intelligence' - as untrainable, stabilizing in childhood and not improving through adulthood. In 1969 Professor Jensen, an authority on intelligence, claimed that we cannot raise people’s IQs. All that could be expected was a decline in IQ through cognitive aging. Over the years, there have been various attempts through 'brain training' to boost IQ levels, but with no convincing results.

This decade, two research papers came out that showed the first evidence in 40 years that (a) fluid intelligence is in fact trainable through a specific brain training exercise called the dual n-back task, and (b) fluid intelligence can be dramatically improved by taking a natural brain supplement called creatine to top up our brain's natural reserves of this energy supplying amino acid. The science behind these discoveries mark a historic breakthrough. In over 40 years of scientific studies, these are the only methods that have been scientifically demonstrated to increase fluid intelligence levels.

 How to improve IQ? 

There are only two known ways to increase fluid intelligence -by 40% on a time limited Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices test, a scientifically validated, standardised and well known IQ test.

Click below to access the original scientific research for these IQ increasing methods. Note: this is the only credible research showing direct IQ gains on a standardized IQ test.

  Brain Training article           Brain supplement article

For more information about these remarkable IQ increasing methods click on one of the buttons below.

IQ Scientific references

For the scientific journal references that provide the scientific basis for the information conveyed in this website, click here.

Warning:   There are many bogus claims about boosting IQ in the brain training and brain foods industries that have no genuine scientific basis, even if they come 'highly recommended'. Recommendations without facts to back them up can be misleading...

read about how to detect fake IQ science here