171 - Richard Haier: What Is Human Intelligence?

Richard Haier is Professor Emeritus in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, where he uses brain imagining and the tools of neuroscience to study learning, memory, and intelligence, and how they relate to brain function and structure. He is the editor-in-chief of the journal Intelligence. In this episode, Robinson and Rich discuss all things human intelligence, ranging from its controversies, the origin and current status of psychometric testing, the relationship between intelligence, brain structure, and function, the predictive power of IQ in career success and other areas, and whether or not it’s possible to increase one’s general intelligence. Rich’s most recent book is the second edition of his guide to neuroscience research and intelligence, The Neuroscience of Intelligence (Cambridge University Press, 2023).

Richard’s Website: https://www.richardhaier.com

The Neuroscience of Intelligence: https://a.co/d/c7aO9aK

OUTLINE

00:00 In This Episode…

01:06 Introduction

02:50 Intelligence, Psychometrics, and the Brain 

12:01 The Controversy about Race and Intelligence Research

21:09 How Should We Define Human Intelligence?

26:36 On The Origin and Value of IQ Tests

32:16 Intelligence and Brain Structure

46:05 How Accurate Are Contemporary IQ Tests Like?

57:16 Are IQ Tests Racist?

01:03:47 Should We Abolish Standardized Tests?

01:13:34 Do IQ Tests Predict Career Success?

01:17:05 The Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory of Intelligence

01:34:25 Psychometric Tests and Human Intelligence

01:41:10 Group Differences and IQ

01:46:53 Can You Increase Your IQ? 

Robinson’s Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.