Notes on Dr. Jordan Peterson's Lecture on IQ

Importance of IQ

• Predictive Value of IQ:
  • Health
  • Longevity
  • Resistance to PTSD
  • Occupational status
  • Educational success
  • Income

Hypothetical Scenario

• Choosing between:
  • Being born into a family in the 95th percentile for wealth
  • Being born with an IQ in the 95th percentile
• Outcome: Higher IQ leads to better long-term life outcomes than wealth.

Disgust Sensitivity and IQ

• Research Findings:
  • Higher IQ correlates with lower disgust sensitivity.
  • Potential Link: IQ might relate to physiological integrity of the cortex vs. the limbic system (emotions/motivations).

IQ and Impulsiveness

• Intelligent individuals can still exhibit impulsive behaviors.
• High IQ does not necessarily correlate with the ability to execute long-term plans effectively.

IQ vs. Industriousness

• No Correlation Found:
  • Relationship between IQ and industriousness is zero.
  • People can be industrious without having high IQs.
• Industriousness Mystery:
  • Difficult to determine what drives industrious behavior.

Cognitive Testing and IQ

• Tests and Observations:
  • Tasks that manipulate abstraction are associated with IQ.
  • E.g., Counting letters in strings correlates with IQ.

Physiological Aspects of IQ

• Physical Characteristics:

  • Individuals with higher IQs may have slightly larger heads and brains (controlling for body size).
  • Thicker axons in neurons leading to more efficient electrical messages.
  • Faster reaction times in simple reflex tests.

• Impact on Brain Health:

  • Higher IQ may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to a more robust brain structure.

Nutritional Influence on IQ

• Historical Context:
  • 150 years ago, IQ closely tied to nutritional status.
  • Presently, few in North America suffer from nutritional deficits; cultural variability in intelligence has diminished.