Research shows human beings are capable of improving their IQ<\/a> through intellectual training and cognitive exercises. Let\u2019s explore the truth about your IQ, and what you can do to increase it.<\/p>\n Your IQ, or \u201cIntelligence Quotient\u201d, is a measurement of your intellectual potential and intelligence. This measurement originally gained popularity back in the early 1900s, when it was introduced by a French psychologist named Alfred Binet.<\/p>\n Have you ever heard of an IQ test? A person\u2019s IQ is measured using standardized testing. Proper IQ tests are typically administered by psychologists and mental health professionals. Some of the most common tests used for determining whether a person has high, low or average IQ include:<\/p>\n Though you can find online IQ tests, IQ testing apps and questionnaires claiming to measure your IQ, they won\u2019t be nearly as accurate as an official IQ test provided by a professional. It\u2019s also worth noting that most IQ tests give you a \u201crange\u201d score, rather than a direct number for your IQ level.<\/p>\n For instance, if you score 126 on an IQ test<\/a>, your psychologists will say you have an IQ somewhere between 120 and 132, because your intellectual abilities can be influenced by a lot of different things, from your diet to how much sleep you got the night before the test.<\/p>\n IQ tests are just one of many ways to measure a person\u2019s intelligence. IQ tests are also useful for diagnosing mental health conditions and learning disabilities.<\/p>\n What many people don\u2019t realise about their IQ level, is that it\u2019s not measuring their education, but rather the abilities that form the foundations for their acquisition of knowledge. In other words, spending years reading textbooks won\u2019t necessarily increase your IQ, but it might improve the scope of your knowledge. To increase your IQ, you effectively need to expand your intellectual potential.<\/p>\n You can be genetically predisposed to have a higher or lower IQ, but it\u2019s in your control to learn how to increase your IQ. There are two kinds of human intelligence: fluid and crystalized. Fluid intelligence is linked to abstract reasoning, while crystalized intelligence is associated with intellectual development and skill. The national library of medicine dictates both kinds of intelligence can be influenced by genetics, parenting style, home life, nutrition, and education.<\/p>\n Intelligence isn\u2019t necessarily passed down directly through genetics, but your DNA<\/a> can have an influence on your intellectual potential.<\/p>\n Everyone is born with a specific capacity for intellectual potential, and it\u2019s up to them to decide if they want to nurture and grow their IQ to the peak of its potential or not.<\/p>\n Researchers have found that genetic factors account for about 50% of the difference in IQ levels among individuals. However, intelligence is also strongly influenced by our environment, parenting, education, nutritional deficiencies, diet, sleep, and more.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t have a higher genetic predisposition to intelligence, this doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you can\u2019t increase your IQ. Remember, IQ is a measurement of not just your intelligence, but your intellectual potential.<\/p>\n Improve your mental fitness with brain-boosting exercises on a regular basis if you want to increase your IQ.<\/p>\n This requires commitment, dedication, self-motivation and self-discipline. You can absolutely increase your IQ, no matter how low your IQ test score was.<\/p>\n Sometimes, even the simplest lifestyle changes can influence one\u2019s IQ. If you have a genetic predisposition to have a high IQ, but you\u2019re struggling to expand your intelligence, it could be your environment that\u2019s holding you back. Exposure to oxidative stress makes your organs age faster. Since your brain is one of your most active organs, it\u2019s often at the highest risk. Eating antioxidant-rich foods<\/a> could pave the way for an increased IQ.<\/p>\n The most common methods of increasing your IQ will typically fall into 4 types of brain training activities.<\/p>\n 2. Memory exercises<\/strong><\/p>\n Memory sharpening activities are fantastic for not only preserving brain functioning<\/a> in the later years of your life but improving your reasoning and language skills too. Since language and reasoning are commonly used as measurements of intelligence in IQ tests, it makes sense to invest in memory building activities which boost these elements of your mind.<\/p>\n You can improve your memory with jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, concentration games (such as games where you use your memory to match cards), and sudoku.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Visuospatial reasoning<\/strong><\/p>\n Visuospatial reasoning applies to the connection between your mental processes, and physical representations. In one study<\/a>, researchers discovered that improving visuospatial reasoning led to a significant increase in IQ test scores.<\/p>\n In this study, executive control and memory activities also helped to improve the visuospatial reasoning of participants. Great ways to improve your visuospatial reasoning abilities include exploring mazes and building 3D models.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Practicing executive control<\/strong><\/p>\n The term \u201cexecutive control\u201d refers to your ability to control the management of complex activities for cognition in your mind. It\u2019s a component of executive functioning, which has been extensively tied to fluid reasoning \u2013 a common measurement of human<\/a> intelligence.<\/p>\n Executive control training is something you can do with games like red light, green light, brainteasers, Pictionary, and scrabble. Anything that forces you to use your mind to solve a problem.<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Relational skills<\/strong><\/p>\n Relational skill theory relates to the development of language and human cognition through the use of relational associations. Research from 2011<\/a> shows that relational frame theory can even enhance the IQ of children.<\/p>\n Building relational skills is all about finding the connection between things. For instance, you could practice these skills by comparing one object to another and listing the difference between them. Children often develop these skills when developing a language, through books that identify specific items and their names.<\/p>\n Learning how to improve your IQ is a lot less complicated than you\u2019d think \u2013 particularly if you\u2019re already genetically predisposed to a strong intellectual performance. Aside from the specific activities we mentioned above in relation to the four activities associated with building intelligence, you can also use specific activities to build your IQ, such as:<\/p>\n An IQ isn\u2019t something you\u2019re born with. While aspects of your genetic potential are passed down in your genes, your intellectual ability is as flexible and changeable as you. Committing to constantly expanding your mind and improving your cognitive potential will subsequently improve your IQ.<\/p>\n Perhaps the best thing you can do if you\u2019re looking for ways to increase your IQ, is dedicate a portion of your life to consistent, continued education. Learning as much as you can on a regular basis, by reading, watching documentaries, taking classes, and listening to other people will expand your mind. Studies even show that every additional year of formal education<\/a> a person received can equate to five additional points on their IQ.<\/p>\nWhat Exactly is Your IQ?<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nCan You Be Genetically Predisposed to a Higher IQ?<\/h2>\n
How to Increase Your IQ: 4 Exercises to Try<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nOther Ways to Improve Your IQ<\/h2>\n
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Commit to Constantly Expanding Your Intellectual Potential<\/h2>\n