Human intelligence and medical illness: assessing the Flynn effect

There’s little doubt that people are growing smarter. This effect is so strong that IQ tests must be renormed periodically to prevent classifying an overabundance of people as geniuses. The question is why is this collective rise in IQ – known as the Flynn effect –occurring? Possible theories to explain the Flynn effect have ranged from better parenting to faster evolution. Bringing a bold new voice to the debate, Human Intelligence and Medical Illness sets out asimple definition of intelligence that is appropriate for assessing intelligence at the population level. The definition is then used to probe the relationship between population intelligence and public health. This volume uses the latest medical and behavioral science research to argue that declines in serious disease and illness-causing conditions (e.g., lead paint in buildings) correlate strongly with continued cognitive gains in both developed and developing countries. Current political realities explain why the Flynn effect should be approached as a public policy as well as a public health issue. This provocative volume: Reviews the most widely held hypotheses accounting for the Flynn effect. Examines the relationship between intelligence and public health. Assesses the extent to which public health improvements can potentially account for the Flynn effect. Details how treatment of common medical problems may result in a substantial rise in IQ. Explores the possibility of continued IQ gains inthe United States and worldwide. Reframes the Flynn effect in the contexts ofpublic health, early childhood education, and social justice. With its groundbreaking findings on the causes of cognitive impairment and the possibility ofcognitive improvement, Human Intelligence and Medical Illness is must-readingfor researchers, professors, and graduate students in developmental psychology, education, public health, psychiatry, neuroscience, social work, and related fields. Examines the global links between the rise in IQ – known as the Flynn Effect – and general human health Assesses whether public health improvements potentially account for the Flynn Effect Details how treatment of common medical problems may result in a substantial IQ rise Explores whether additional and substantial IQ gains are possible in the U.S. and the world INDICE: Are People Getting Smarter?.- Human IQ and Increasing Intelligence.- Evolution and Increasing Intelligence.- Brain Development and Increasing Intelligence.- Environment and Increasing Intelligence.- Evidence of Physical Plasticity in Humans.- Evidence of Mental Plasticity in Humans.- Evidence of Language Plasticity in Humans.- Impact of Medical Illnes on Human IQ in the United States.- Impact of the Medical Illness on Human IQ Worldwide.- Medical Interventions for IQ Impairment.- Increasing IQ in the United States.- Increasing IQ and Social Justice.

• ISBN: 978-1-4419-0091-3
• Editorial: Springer
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 450
• Fecha Publicación: 01/10/2009
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés