The Battle of the Brains

When discussions get heated about the differences between men and women, brain intelligence is often cited as one of those certainties to confirm male superiority. Historically, in terms of averages little difference has been noted between genders. Even Alfred Binet who sought to measure intelligence in order to provide education to children who could benefit from it did not agree with assessments that there was a gender difference.

Newer IQ testing variaitons suggest there may be overall a 3 to 5 point difference favoring men. However, the greatest criticism of IQ testing is that there is no standard agreement as to what intelligence is and how it can be consistently measured. It has been suggested that IQ measures what has been already learned and not the true potential of the individual.

In 2007, the British Broadcasting Company, similar to our PBS, presented a series entitled Battle of the Brains. The program brought together 7 distinct men and women – RAF fighter pilot, musical prodigy, artist, dramatist, Wall Street trader, chess grandmaster and a quantum physicist.  They were subjected to the traditional IQ test and the challenges of intelligence as measured by Howard Gardner’s interpretation of multiple intelligences.

Gardner considers intelligence to be expressive in 7 different forms where individuals may dominate with words and language, math and reasoning, spatial orientation and pattern, body sense and movement, music forms, people skills, self awareness and motivation, or the understanding and integration of the natural world.

It makes no difference what your IQ score is or which of the 7 multiple intelligences you possess. Watching this fascinating video will definitely make you smarter about intelligence. 

And, yes there is a male/female battle between the brains. But in order to find out who …. you will have to click below

By Joyce Hansen