Plenty of research has shown that the most intelligent among us hold more positions of power, make more money, attain higher-level jobs and seem to have better luck overall. No wonder so many people search for ways to boost their intelligence and creativity. More important perhaps, dozens of studies have found that a higher IQ (intelligence quotient) is directly related to longevity. One landmark study from the 1930s found that a 15-point IQ advantage conferred a 21 percent better chance of survival into old age. It not only pays to be smart, your life can depend on it.
Although we’re all eager to learn how to improve our brainpower—and there are some realistic solutions—scientists are still grappling with the very nature of intelligence. As Dean Keith Simonton writes, IQ is not the only, nor necessarily the best, measure of genius. Creative output may be a better determinant. Or perhaps, as some have discovered, it’s your critical thinking abilities, not just raw talent, that make you seem brighter than the rest.
Some intriguing mind-boosting tools are under development. Early investigations into transcranial direct-current stimulation, or the use of mild electric current to strengthen synaptic connections, seem promising. And several recent studies have found that the drug modafinil, developed to treat sleep disorders, may enhance cognition. But two tactics to increase your brainpower seem surefire. The first is exercise—substantial research has shown that movement keeps you sharp well into old age. The second is your attitude. As Carol S. Dweck writes, a growth-oriented mindset—that is, believing you have the capacity to improve—sets you up for a lifetime of actually getting smarter.
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Nowhere is fostering mental acuity more vital than with children. Many researchers make a strong case for nurturing gifted kids from a young age and allowing them to follow their passions. New devices and methods are emerging to determine intelligence at ever younger ages and to train children up in math and verbal skills so they can excel later in life.
It may not seem evident when you check the daily news, but the average human IQ has been increasing steadily over the past century. If we are smart, we will continue the trend and work to create a world where all individuals have the opportunity to shine as brightly as they can.