Successful Smart Person
In recent years the idea that higher intelligence and brain capacity don’t equate to a greater chance of success has gained ground through books and articles by the likes of the New Yorker’s Malcolm Gladwell and the New York Times’ David Brooks. Intelligence plays a role up to a point, they’ve argued, but after that it’s down to practice and persistence.
Michigan State University researcher Zack Hambrick disagrees, and he’s done the work to prove it. Through extensive studies Dr. Hambrick has gathered real-world data that indicates that Gladwell and Brooks are just plain wrong. Good news for those of us who dedicate time to working memory training to increase IQ.
“While the specialized knowledge that accumulates through practice is the most important ingredient to reach a very high level of skill, it’s not always sufficient,” said Hambrick, associate professor of psychology. “Working memory capacity can still predict performance in complex domains such as music, chess, science, and maybe even in sports that have a substantial mental component such as golf.”
“David Brooks and Malcolm Gladwell are simply wrong,” said Hambrick, “The evidence is quite clear: A high level of intellectual ability puts a person at a measurable advantage – and the higher the better.”
[...] “David Brooks and Malcolm Gladwell are simply wrong,” said Hambrick, “The evidence is quite clear: A high level of intellectual ability puts a person at a measurable advantage – and the higher the better.” Read original article here. [...]