Parasites and pathogens affect human intelligence

[pennstate4life]

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http://www.economist.com/node/16479286?story_id=16479286

James Watson was wrong. One's IQ is not affected by race. An Asian who grew up in Mozambique will not be able to multiply.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Intelligence is learned. The capacity to hold intelligence is however likely both environmental and genetic. So its not at all surprising that pathogens can effect the development of capacity in the brain for intelligence. There are many viral theories in psychology that argue that diseases for example like schizophrenia are causes by pathogens such as the flu during gestation.

 

[illegallysmooth]

Intelligence is learned. The capacity to hold intelligence is however likely both environmental and genetic.

The capacity to hold intelligence?

Intelligence is not purely learned. That's why we test it in small children. Intelligence is, itself, a capacity.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Seriousness aside for a moment, I swear that any parasite/pathogen vs intelligence relationship works backwards in the U.S.

for example

me: that's not done, it's still bloody inside

friend who shall remain nameless: it's not gonna kill me. I like my meat rare

me: rare is one thing, still breathing is completely different. Don't come complaining to me when you get tapeworms or something.

in this instance the lack of intelligence increases disease burden

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

The capacity to hold intelligence?

Intelligence is not purely learned. That's why we test it in small children. Intelligence is, itself, a capacity.

Well in the case of children they developed intelligence from stimulation which can to some extent be considered learning ( very simple conditioning). Saying intelligence in itself is a capacity is true enough. But both ways this is highly subjective as intelligence isn't something you can truly test objectively.

 

[pennstate4life]

Well in the case of children they developed intelligence from stimulation which can to some extent be considered learning ( very simple conditioning). Saying intelligence in itself is a capacity is true enough. But both ways this is highly subjective as intelligence isn't something you can truly test objectively.

Have you heard of this thing called the MCAT?

 

[pelliper]

A classic case of why correlation does not imply causation...maybe a common factor (such as, ahem, lack of a stable society with middle-class institutions) contributes to both low IQ (lack of support for education) and high disease burden (lack of health care/public health institutions).

 

[illegallysmooth]

Well in the case of children they developed intelligence from stimulation which can to some extent be considered learning ( very simple conditioning). Saying intelligence in itself is a capacity is true enough. But both ways this is highly subjective as intelligence isn't something you can truly test objectively.

I disagree with your first sentence. I do not think intelligence in small children is simply the product of learning/conditioning. It is a capacity with which they were born, and which they USED to learn.

I also disagree with your contention that intelligence cannot be tested objectively. I would say that no man-made test of intelligence will ever be perfect, of course. However, I think the tests we have now (WISC-IV [children], WAIS-III [by far the most commonly used], etc.), that measure intelligence as an ability are useful and objective.

To bring this back to the OP's topic, I also think it makes sense that various infections can affect intelligence. We've known for years that several neurological disorders (GB, for one) can occur after various infections. It makes logical sense that multiple infections during the growth and development of the neurological structures could impact one's intellect. With that said, I didn't read the study so I can't say if they controlled at all for confounding factors, and I'm sure there were many.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I disagree with your first sentence. I do not think intelligence in small children is simply the product of learning/conditioning. It is a capacity with which they were born, and which they USED to learn.

I also disagree with your contention that intelligence cannot be tested objectively. I would say that no man-made test of intelligence will ever be perfect, of course. However, I think the tests we have now (WISC-IV [children], WAIS-III [by far the most commonly used], etc.), that measure intelligence as an ability are useful and objective.

To bring this back to the OP's topic, I also think it makes sense that various infections can affect intelligence. We've known for years that several neurological disorders (GB, for one) can occur after various infections. It makes logical sense that multiple infections during the growth and development of the neurological structures could impact one's intellect. With that said, I didn't read the study so I can't say if they controlled at all for confounding factors, and I'm sure there were many.

Well the first one is theoretical and can be debated. I personally believe that our environment plays a extremely big role in the development of intelligence. Much more then genetics do.
Intelligence is subjective. Why should it be considered that intelligence is something based off of verbal comp and mathematics. Obviously there are many things left up for debate such as intelligence in other forms.
The next part I agree with.

 

[morning]

I have a hard time taking any IQ studies seriously because it seems like EVERYONE has a hidden agenda. Not that this is an IQ study, I'm just sayin'. I do not believe the average IQ in Ethiopia is 70, for instance. The claims people make in this regard are just ridiculous. Also, intelligence could appear genetic if the maternal-fetal environment has an effect on it. It would make siblings very similar, and their adopted brethren not.

I feel like there should be more work done studying the people from groups traditionally thought to be low IQ when they succeed, which they do. Nigerian immigrants, for instance, do extremely well in college here. Sure, there's probably selection bias going on - maybe the people who were able to immigrant had the most intelligence - but maybe not. You never know until you actually work with them and attempt to quantify their intelligence.

 

[illegallysmooth]

Well the first one is theoretical and can be debated. I personally believe that our environment plays a extremely big role in the development of intelligence. Much more then genetics do.
Intelligence is subjective. Why should it be considered that intelligence is something based of off verbal comp and mathematics. Obviously there are many things left up for debate such as intelligence in other forms.
The next part I agree with.

I would edit the first part of my last post. I agree that one's environment can foster intelligence, but not just by allowing one to learn. Appropriate intellectual stimulation as a child increases ability thereby increasing intelligence.

I have trouble understanding the rest of your reply, so...yeah. IQ tests are not based on mathematic and verbal skills - those are termed achievement tests. Intelligence tests measure ability, many times through puzzles. It measures the capacity to achieve.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I would edit the first part of my last post. I agree that one's environment can foster intelligence, but not just by allowing one to learn. Appropriate intellectual stimulation as a child increases ability thereby increasing intelligence.

I have trouble understanding the rest of your reply, so...yeah. IQ tests are not based on mathematic and verbal skills - those are termed achievement tests. Intelligence tests measure ability, many times through puzzles. It measures the capacity to achieve.

Sorry I typed that too fast. I'm watching a amazing episode of NCIS so I apologize. What I meant to say was multiple intelligence theory. Some people are better at for example at music or other things rather then verbal comp and mathematical skills. While your right intelligence tests which look at problem solving skills such as puzzles and what not, do have some merit. However for example I know a kid who was probably a probably a little bit below average in IQ & school and now an amazing music major and preformed in many concerts.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I have a hard time taking any IQ studies seriously because it seems like EVERYONE has a hidden agenda. Not that this is an IQ study, I'm just sayin'. I do not believe the average IQ in Ethiopia is 70, for instance. The claims people make in this regard are just ridiculous. Also, intelligence could appear genetic if the maternal-fetal environment has an effect on it. It would make siblings very similar, and their adopted brethren not.

I feel like there should be more work done studying the people from groups traditionally thought to be low IQ when they succeed, which they do. Nigerian immigrants, for instance, do extremely well in college here. Sure, there's probably selection bias going on - maybe the people who were able to immigrant had the most intelligence - but maybe not. You never know until you actually work with them and attempt to quantify their intelligence.

Same, not to mention IQ tests fail in reliability.

 

[LizzyM]

did anyone of you actually read the article? I find the argument that competition by parasites, pathogens and the developing brain for nutrients does have a deleterious effect on brain development to be interesting. Furthermore, brain damage by pathogens (e.g. maleria) depresses IQ. On a population basis, this could explain previously observed differences among populations.

 

[Dianyla]

did anyone of you actually read the article? I find the argument that competition by parasites, pathogens and the developing brain for nutrients does have a deleterious effect on brain development. Furthermore, brain damage by pathogens (e.g. maleria) depresses IQ. On a population basis, this could explain previously observed differences among populations.

I read it, and I agree. Lead poisoning has also shown a specific impact, measurable in terms of x ng/ml blood level corresponding to -y points of IQ in developing children.

Not sure about the other responders to this thread. 🙄

 

[pennstate4life]

in this instance the lack of intelligence increases disease burden

It is a viscous cycle and then your friend starts eating cardboard. Actually given the crap they sell in grocery stores nowadays that might not be a bad idea for a diet.

 

[apumic]

did anyone of you actually read the article? I find the argument that competition by parasites, pathogens and the developing brain for nutrients does have a deleterious effect on brain development to be interesting. Furthermore, brain damage by pathogens (e.g. maleria) depresses IQ. On a population basis, this could explain previously observed differences among populations.

The discussions here were why I personally read the article and then promptly closed the thread. I agree, it was a very interesting article. The banter about the validity of IQ testing by a bunch of people with little or no background in cognitive psych or psychometrics to begin with... not so much.