The IQ test is controversial because it supposedly measures how intellectually bright you are in comparison with the rest of the population. The first IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test originated in France and was the work of Alfred Binet who sought to find a way to differentiate between normal children and children who were struggling at school. It was later revised by Lewis Terman in the US and the Stanford-Binet IQ test was born.
Many people misunderstand the IQ scoring system which works on the principle that a score of 100 is average. A higher score means you are above average in comparison with the rest of the population and a score of less than 100 indicates that you are lower than average. It is reckoned that about half of the population will score between 90 and 110 on a standard IQ test. As a rough guide, the following scores indicate your score in relation to the rest of the population.
• Over 130 – Extremely bright, only 2% of the population achieve this score
• Between 120 and 130 – Very bright, probably around 7% of the population
• Between 110 and 120 – Bright, 16% of the population
• Between 90 and 110 – Average, makes up about half the population so 50%
• Between 80 and 90 – Low average, 16%
• Between 70 and 80 – Borderline, 7%
• Lower than 70 – Extremely low, about 2%
A word of warning however, IQs may be a measure of something, even if it’s only one’s ability to sit IQ tests, but are they a true reflection of intelligence per se? Probably not! Intelligence depends on many factors such as environment, community, genetics, background etc. It is worth remembering that Einstein himself was not considered “intelligent” by any standard whilst at school.
Even if we cannot accurately measure intelligence with 100% accuracy, we do know that we can improve it and at the same time increase our potential as a human being. Here’s how.
Give your brain the right fuel
Our brains rely on essential fatty acids to function effectively, particularly Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which is found in oily fish and fish oil. If we don’t get enough EPA then we will rely on inferior fuels that will clog up our brain engine and perhaps even cause it to malfunction. Eating a varied and balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables helps too, along with regular exercise to keep our bodies and our brains in good working order.
Indulge in music
Psychologist Frances Rauscher and her colleagues discovered over 10 years ago that listening to Mozart appeared to improve nerve signalling in the brain leading to increased mental ability. Other research has shown that children who received music lessons scored a few points higher on an IQ test than children who didn’t. If nothing else, music can help you to relax and de-stress which in itself can make you feel better and help your brain to work more efficiently.
Exercise your mind
Keeping your brain active on a regular basis will naturally improve your ability to process information. For example, quizzes, puzzles, even bingo can keep your mental faculties tuned up and in good working order. Some studies have shown that mental workouts can increase IQ scores by up to 8%.
Get enough sleep
Regular good quality sleep is essential for effective brain function. No one can operate to the best of their ability if deprived of sleep for any length of time. Sleeping allows your brain to process information, solve problems and tidy up the mess left behind by all those seemingly insignificant and fleeting thoughts that pass through your mind throughout the day. It is said that Dmitri Mendeleev, the Russian chemist, dreamt the answer to the periodic table of elements one night after spending hours trying to work out the problem during the day so make sure you get enough sleep.
Finally - think positive
Your brain will listen to the messages you give it and take action. If you are telling yourself you are incapable, tired, anxious, fearful, you will fail that test or not get that job and so on, your brain will act accordingly and send out all those signals to your body to perpetuate your state of mind. Imagine then what you could do if you told your brain to send out different messages? Thinking positive works, try it.
Showing posts with label brain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brain. Show all posts
Bizarre Diseases
Bizarre Diseases
We have all heard or read about of incidences of rare diseases, conditions and disorders that are horrific or shocking to say the least and we are naturally, desperately compassionate for anyone who has the misfortune to actually suffer from them.
However, some conditions seem particularly bizarre and which thankfully, are so rare, that most of us will probably never have heard of them. The following represents just some of these strange afflictions.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
This syndrome is also known as Micropsia. Individuals appear to have a malfunction in the way their brain processes visual information despite the fact that there is nothing wrong with their eyes. Objects, humans, parts of humans and animals etc. are perceived by the sufferer as being much smaller than what they actually are in reality. For example, imagine looking at your pet dog and seeing it as the size of small mouse or looking at another human who may in fact be six feet tall but who looks tiny and in no way a reflection of their actual size. Strangely, the perception persists even when the sufferer has their eyes closed. Some scholars believe that Lewis Carroll (who wrote Alice in Wonderland) may have suffered from this condition himself.
Jumping Frenchman of Maine Disorder
This is an extremely rare disorder first described by G. M Beard in 1878 and is believed to have been first observed in French Canadian Lumberjacks. Sufferers have a sudden and an abnormal reaction to stimuli. For example, when given a sudden command in a loud enough voice the individual will carry out that command instantly and without a thought, even if you tell them to hit out a loved one, or throw an object. Also, on hearing unfamiliar or foreign phrases they will often repeat them over and over again uncontrollably. Other symptoms include extreme jerky movements whenever a loud noise is heard, hence the “jumping” aspect to this disorder.
Walking Corpse Syndrome
People suffering from this condition may believe that they have lost parts of their bodies or even their souls and some might go as far as to really believe that they are already dead and are indeed a walking corpse, even maintaining that they can smell their own rotting flesh and can feel the worms eating at them. It has also been associated with psychosis linked to drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine and to schizophrenia.
Fish Odour Syndrome
A rare disorder where the body cannot produce a substance known as FM03 or monooxygenase 3 and as a result, its ability to break down Trimethylamine is impaired. The result of this is most unpleasant as it causes the person’s sweat, urine and breath to give off a very strong and fishy odour or a smell like that of rotten eggs.
Alien Hand Syndrome
This unusual neurological disorder is where one hand appears to take on a personality all of its own and acts in such a way that is completely out of control in relation to what the person wants to do. For example the alien hand may unbutton shirts or remove clothing whilst the other hand is trying to button up or get dressed. Sufferers will often attach a personality to their alien hand and will try to punish it for disobedience.
Capgras Syndrome
People suffering from the extremely rare Capgras Syndrome believe that a loved one or a significant other person in their life is being impersonated by an impostor. This can even lead to the sufferer attacking the perceived impostor. Sometimes it extends itself to the sufferer themselves who believe that when they look in the mirror it is not their own reflection staring back at them but the image of an impersonator.
Jerusalem Syndrome
Affecting around 100 tourists a year, it is a form of religious psychosis sparked by a visit to Jerusalem and is not confined to any one religion. Sufferers may believe they are prophets or messengers from the Lord and indulge in behaviours such as parading around delivering their own sermons, obsessing about virtue and cleanliness and will often ask sinners to repent their sins. The syndrome invariably disappears after a few weeks or when the tourist leaves the area.
We have all heard or read about of incidences of rare diseases, conditions and disorders that are horrific or shocking to say the least and we are naturally, desperately compassionate for anyone who has the misfortune to actually suffer from them.
However, some conditions seem particularly bizarre and which thankfully, are so rare, that most of us will probably never have heard of them. The following represents just some of these strange afflictions.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
This syndrome is also known as Micropsia. Individuals appear to have a malfunction in the way their brain processes visual information despite the fact that there is nothing wrong with their eyes. Objects, humans, parts of humans and animals etc. are perceived by the sufferer as being much smaller than what they actually are in reality. For example, imagine looking at your pet dog and seeing it as the size of small mouse or looking at another human who may in fact be six feet tall but who looks tiny and in no way a reflection of their actual size. Strangely, the perception persists even when the sufferer has their eyes closed. Some scholars believe that Lewis Carroll (who wrote Alice in Wonderland) may have suffered from this condition himself.
Jumping Frenchman of Maine Disorder
This is an extremely rare disorder first described by G. M Beard in 1878 and is believed to have been first observed in French Canadian Lumberjacks. Sufferers have a sudden and an abnormal reaction to stimuli. For example, when given a sudden command in a loud enough voice the individual will carry out that command instantly and without a thought, even if you tell them to hit out a loved one, or throw an object. Also, on hearing unfamiliar or foreign phrases they will often repeat them over and over again uncontrollably. Other symptoms include extreme jerky movements whenever a loud noise is heard, hence the “jumping” aspect to this disorder.
Walking Corpse Syndrome
People suffering from this condition may believe that they have lost parts of their bodies or even their souls and some might go as far as to really believe that they are already dead and are indeed a walking corpse, even maintaining that they can smell their own rotting flesh and can feel the worms eating at them. It has also been associated with psychosis linked to drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine and to schizophrenia.
Fish Odour Syndrome
A rare disorder where the body cannot produce a substance known as FM03 or monooxygenase 3 and as a result, its ability to break down Trimethylamine is impaired. The result of this is most unpleasant as it causes the person’s sweat, urine and breath to give off a very strong and fishy odour or a smell like that of rotten eggs.
Alien Hand Syndrome
This unusual neurological disorder is where one hand appears to take on a personality all of its own and acts in such a way that is completely out of control in relation to what the person wants to do. For example the alien hand may unbutton shirts or remove clothing whilst the other hand is trying to button up or get dressed. Sufferers will often attach a personality to their alien hand and will try to punish it for disobedience.
Capgras Syndrome
People suffering from the extremely rare Capgras Syndrome believe that a loved one or a significant other person in their life is being impersonated by an impostor. This can even lead to the sufferer attacking the perceived impostor. Sometimes it extends itself to the sufferer themselves who believe that when they look in the mirror it is not their own reflection staring back at them but the image of an impersonator.
Jerusalem Syndrome
Affecting around 100 tourists a year, it is a form of religious psychosis sparked by a visit to Jerusalem and is not confined to any one religion. Sufferers may believe they are prophets or messengers from the Lord and indulge in behaviours such as parading around delivering their own sermons, obsessing about virtue and cleanliness and will often ask sinners to repent their sins. The syndrome invariably disappears after a few weeks or when the tourist leaves the area.
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