[another_someone]

The problem is, what are we trying to achieve?

My understanding is that IQ itself is not so much about processing capacity (in the sense of the number of processing units) as processing speed.  As such, the increased thickness of axons, and the shortness of the axons, is more important than a large number of long axons.

On the other hand, the ability to learn is more about being able to create new connections quickly (rather than about how many connections you already have).

No doubt there are other parameters that have other effects upon the brain, but what is it you are trying to achieve, and how would surgery be likely to achieve it?

[DoctorBeaver]

My understanding is that IQ itself is not so much about processing capacity (in the sense of the number of processing units) as processing speed.

Although that has some merit, I don't think it's the whole case. Some people just do not have the level of "intelligence" required to be able to perform certain tasks no matter how long they stick at it.

On the other hand, practice can increase the speed with which one can perform certain tasks. Take mental arithmetic as a case in point. The more you do it, the better you get & the faster you can do it. But there are some people who simply cannot do it at all. They could sit down for hours on end trying to calculate a 4th root (assuming they were told the method of doing it) yet still be unable to get the answer right - or, maybe, not even getting as far as any kind of answer.

I've managed to get a few people who were very slow at mental arithmetic to improve their ability by scoring darts games. However, I've also failed miserably with the same technique on others who had no ability for mental arithmetic whatsoever in the first place.

[RD]

Portions of the brain that are unused or rarely used can be 'rewired' for other functions (to a point). It has been shown in the matter of blind folk that some parts of the visual cortex had been 'rewired', trouble is the brain itself did the rewiring...

This is a very common situation. After brain trauma, the victim may be left with reduced, or zero, capability in a certain area (for instance, speech). The brain, as JnA put it, "re-wires" itself to by-pass that area and re-assigns its functions to a different part of the brain. The victim, in this instance, has to learn to speak all over again (although, commonly, there is residual ability rather than the facility being lost completely).

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

[DoctorBeaver]

Portions of the brain that are unused or rarely used can be 'rewired' for other functions (to a point). It has been shown in the matter of blind folk that some parts of the visual cortex had been 'rewired', trouble is the brain itself did the rewiring...

This is a very common situation. After brain trauma, the victim may be left with reduced, or zero, capability in a certain area (for instance, speech). The brain, as JnA put it, "re-wires" itself to by-pass that area and re-assigns its functions to a different part of the brain. The victim, in this instance, has to learn to speak all over again (although, commonly, there is residual ability rather than the facility being lost completely).

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

I didn't want to bother people with technical terminology

[RD]

Including "technical terminology" is not necessarily pedantry: it could help with further reading on this topic.

[DoctorBeaver]

Including "technical terminology" is not necessarily pedantry: it could help with further reading on this topic.

True, but I'm in the habit of trying to keep things simple.

[Ethos]

True, but I'm in the habit of trying to keep things simple.

Speaking of keeping things simple; Instead of such a drastic solution like brain surgery, maybe he should try meditation. One probably won't increase their intellect but they might learn to deal with the lack thereof more effectively.............Hey?

[dlorde]

Also, contrary to what has been posted here, it is possible to increase your measured IQ in any particular test by suitable mental exercise, and measured IQ can change significantly over time (it can both increase and decrease).

The main problem with IQ is defining it and what it is supposed to measure...

[JnA]

Including "technical terminology" is not necessarily pedantry: it could help with further reading on this topic.

True, but I'm in the habit of trying to keep things simple.

I thought that was my job..


complete doofus signing off 

[JnA]

Also, contrary to what has been posted here, it is possible to increase your measured IQ in any particular test by suitable mental exercise, and measured IQ can change significantly over time (it can both increase and decrease).

The main problem with IQ is defining it and what it is supposed to measure...

I have always been reliably informed that IQ tests measure how good someone is at taking IQ tests... make of that what you will

[dlorde]

I have always been reliably informed that IQ tests measure how good someone is at taking IQ tests... make of that what you will

There's a lot of truth in that. Traditional IQ tests are very limited, and you can improve your performance at them with practice. Some researchers in the field are suggesting that there are many types of IQ (verbal, spatial, emotional, etc.), and there should be corresponding tests. I tend to agree, but designing the tests is always going to be difficult because they are supposed to be a relative measure against a peer group, and it's difficult to identify exactly what/who this peer group should be, how to keep the tests unbiased across this group, and actually measure the performance of this group for comparison. There are all kinds of other problems, e.g. how long is a test valid for, and over what age range - when populations, cultures and behaviours are continually changing and mixing, and the populations involved age?

[Chemistry4me]

Does anyone else see those ads which have some 5 year old picking his nose and then the caption: His IQ is 112, can you beat that? Click here for test?