Bigger Brains Make Smarter People Study Says

udderly writes "People with bigger brains are smarter according to a Virginia Commonwealth University industrial and organizational psychologist, Michael A. McDaniel, Ph.D. McDaniel, who is a professor in management at VCU's School of Business. He reviewed 26 previous studies comparing brain size and intelligence and found that brain volume has a strong correlation to intelligence. According to McDaniel, 'for all age and sex groups, it is now very clear that brain volume and intelligence are related.' So, how big of a hat do you wear?"

Comments

Brain size vs Neuron density

[Baron_Yam]

I'd suggest that the study is probably right about the average larger brain providing its owner with a higher intelligence than the average average-sized brain.

However, neuron count in specific brain areas would seem to be more significant, and higher densities would provide more neurons/volume and therefore enable a smaller brain to outperform a larger one.

Using hat size to select job applicants, as the linked article suggests, is probably not a good idea.

Re:Brain size vs Neuron density

[Life2Short]

The study was a meta-analysis of previous studies. Did you notice how small the sample sizes were for the original studies? About half had fewer than 50, it looked like. Not that that is a big problem, but how hard would it be to just go around to public schools and measure children's head size and gather their intelligence scores? Also, as always, causality cannot be inferred from correlation. No attempt was made to control for variables such as income, which might influence diet, health care, etc. Finally, if bigger heads really implied greater intelligence, wouldn't you expect offensive linemen on professional football teams to be some of the most intelligent people in the U.S.? For all I know, perhaps they are...

Einstein: The exception to the rule?

[WebHostingGuy]

As several sites have suggested 1, 2, 3, Einstein's brain fell in the range of normal for all measurements, except for the portion known as the inferior parietal lobes, located in the middle of the brain. This middle portion was 15% wider and had no groove.

So maybe the correct conclusion is not that bigger is better, but only the sections that matter. Remember, its not the size of the wand, its the magic in it that counts.

Elephants

[onion2k]

The average Asian elephant has a brain mass of 7.8kg.

I for one welcome our supremely intelligent, prehensile nosed overlords.

Re:Elephants

[Eric604]

Ofcource I don't have to tell you that a larger body requires a larger brain. So more accurate would be: iq=brainsize/bodysize. Size could be mass, volume or area and may not be linear.

To verify this I will conduct an experiment: I will amputate my feet and measure my iq before and afterwards.

Re:Savants

[rpcxdr]

It is more likely the number of folds in the brain that predict intelligence, since folds imply a more complex wiring pattern.

This study would probably find a correlation between number of folds and brain size.

Makes sense

[m50d]

I'm intelligent, and my friends always say I'm big-headed

I don't buy it.

[Antonymous Flower]

Jeez, I hope not all Ph.D's are landed as easily as this guy's must have been. This is nothing more than modern phrenology. Here's a link to the actual publication: http://www.vcu.edu/uns/Releases/2005/june/McDaniel -Big%20Brain.pdf

It's mostly a literature review, which obviously attempts to use the 'majority must be right' fallacy to some mysterious end. The guy's an 'industrial psychologist,' though, so go figure.

To argue something so bold and broad that the size of the brain is an indicator for intelligence is frighteningly naive. If you leave your computer for a second and go meet a few people, you'll quickly realize that people with little heads have no problem outsmarting people with wide hats. This is about on par with 'people with big noses have big johnsons.' Don't read this publication if you're expecting any insight on anything other than a statistical analysis of random literature. You won't find any discussion of neuroplasticity here. I've a question I'd like to ask this guy: how come people 3 feet tall are smarter than you?

Jupiter is fucking huge, but let me assure you, I'd rather be back home. Bigger is not always better.