Intelligence and Brain Size

Intelligence is a hard thing to nail down. If you ask someone what intelligence is, it is most likely that two different people would answer in two different ways. Some people would refer to intelligence as how much one knows, another how much one can apply information to a situation, another perhaps by the abilities one possesses. Psychologists typically define intelligence "in terms of the ability to solve problems and to learn and understand complex material." (Romero, Kemp, 2007).

Some animals are very much equipped with intelligence. Not only are some animals able to adapt to their environments, which is also a for of intelligence, but some are actually capable of learning. This can be seen in the house pets we raise and train to behave, use the litter box, roll over, nip train, etc... Some of the things we can teach are pets are incredible! However, for further valuation of this statement that some animals have intelligence we can look to the studies of learning conducted by Ivan Pavlov and B.F Skinner. Both actually achieved conditioning in animals in which popular educational principles are now rooted in. The animals learned the connection between sounds and food, and they learned what was expected of them in order to get food. This is a form of intelligence. Additionally, chimpanzees are used for a number of human tasks. In fact, with simple learning chimpanzees were the first in space. While not all animals are capable of intelligence, many are even if to a very small degree.

Does Brain Size affect intelligence?

There is only a relatively small correlation between the size of one's brain and intelligence. At this point researchers aren't sure in which direction the correlation goes. Is it that intelligence is higher in individuals with large brains because they have large brains, or is it that the brain is larger due to the acquisition of greater intelligence? This is yet to be determined; however, research has made it quite clear that there is some correlation between brain size an intelligence.

It is interesting to note that Albert Einstein's brain was classified as being of "normal" size. However, Sandra Witelson a Canadian researcher of brain size and intelligence, noted that "the specific portion known for spatial intelligence was wider and had a unique anatomy" (Canadian Press, 2005). This makes a fascinating point that brain anatomy also plays an important role in intelligence. A normal sized brain may exhibit abnormal function and size in a certain portion linking it to higher intelligence in a certain area of intelligence. In Einstein's case, this "certain area of intelligence" was spatial intelligence.

Intelligence across species...

As aforementioned, the correlation between brain size is only relatively small. A big brain doesn't necessarily mean a life form is more intelligent than another. Much of human intelligence also comes from the fact that we learn, we take in information and apply it. While whales and elephants do learn it is not really an arguable fact that they learn different information. Wild animals commonly learn information relating to their survival as opposed to math and science. Additionally, and also aforementioned, is the fact that certain brain anatomy is related to intelligence. Even if one brain is bigger than another, it doesn't mean that their brain is more active than the other. One with a small brain may have an area relating to linguistic intelligence that is larger than the opposing brain. This would correlate with the smaller brained individual having higher linguistic intelligence despite having a small overall brain size.

Intelligence, like memory has a long way to go until we fully understand it and how it applies or implements itself in our lives. However, our understanding of human and animal intelligence has greatly increased over the years and aided in our understanding of both the lives and functions of humans and animals.

References:

Canadian Press, (2005 Dec 23). Study Links Brain Size, Intelligence. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from CTV Globe Media Web site: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051223/brainsize_intelligence_20051223/20051223?hub=SciTech

Romero, A, & Kemp, S (2007). PsychologyDemystified.New York City: McGraw Hill.

N.A. (2005). Key Players in the History and Development of Intelligence and Testing. Retrieved June 1, 2007, from Intelligence and Psychological Testing Website: http://www.wilderdom.com/personality/L1-5KeyPlayers.html