There are various definitions of intelligence, but in general, intelligence can be defined as the person’s ability of gaining knowledge and generating different information.
It is also the capacity of solving problems, critically viewing things and situations, reasoning, creativity, and the ability of understanding, etc.
Not only people have intelligence, but animals and plants as well, according to scientific studies.
Intelligence is a mix of cognitive skills and general knowledge of the individual. Usually, the level of intelligence is determined through intelligence tests, which are created by psychologists. They are a combination of different cognitive tasks, which can be verbal, perceptual, conceptual, and quantitative.
The results of intelligence tests are expressed in IQ scores or intelligence quotients.
Psychologists often use these tests to determine the mental age of children and whether it corresponds with the average mental age of children of that age.
They also use intelligence tests to test their candidates during the recruitment process to determine whether they can perform the required tasks.
The IQ score or intelligence quotient score is used to demonstrate the level of intelligence of a child or a person. IQ tests have scales used to determine these scores.
Sometimes these scores aren’t correspondent to the actual state of intelligence of a person because of some factors which can prevent the person solving the test perform their best.
These scores range in general between 40 and 160, with the average being between 90 and 109. Below 90 scores are considered below average while above 109 scores are considered above average.
Whatever the score is, it is important to have in mind that the level of intelligence can be raised through effort such as certain activities and education. Therefore, bad IQ scores should not discourage anyone.
Types of intelligence
There are different types of intelligence, but most scientists and psychologists agree about the general intelligence factor, which is the person’s ability to learn and gain knowledge, adapt to different circumstances, think critically, reason, learn from their experience, etc.
People who have higher general intelligence are faster learners than those with lower general intelligence.
Besides general, there are specific intelligences, or different abilities or skills of the person in various areas.
There is also emotional intelligence, which is the ability to understand and accept other people’s emotions, desires, motivations, and intentions.
Also, according to some psychologists, exist fluid and crystalized intelligence. Fluid represents the person’s ability to gain knowledge as well as discover new ways of doing things and crystalized represents the intelligence developed through the person’s experience.
While crystalized tends to increase with age, fluid tends to decrease.
According to some scientists, there are creative and practical intelligence. Creative represents the person’s creative abilities while the practical represents the ability to resolve problems and handle issues, and it resembles general intelligence.
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
As previously mentioned, intelligence is measured in intelligent quotients (IQ), which usually reveal the person’s level of general intelligence.
Because the level of intelligence is different for different age groups, these tests are made for different age groups.
The tests are standardized for these different age groups and an average IQ score is determined for each age group.
The IQ is calculated using the formula: IQ = mental age ÷ chronological age x 100, which is compare the mental and chronological age of the person.
If, for example, a child of 10 solves an IQ test for a 10 year old as good as the average child who is 10 years old, then this child’s IQ is 100, or 10÷10×100=100. If a 8 year old child does the same test as good as the average 10 year old, the child’s IQ is 125, or 10÷8×100=125.
The person’s genetics should never be neglected, because it plays an important role in the level of IQ. It is determined that parents and children have similar IQ scores.
Also, great importance carries the person’s upbringing, care, nurture, living conditions, education, environment, etc.
Children who were raised in poor living conditions and were neglected by their parents and poorly educated, are less intelligent than children who were raised in caring and loving families, who were given solid education and decent living conditions and care.
Possible causes of a bad IQ score
As we mentioned, IQ scores don’t always have to match the truth. There are various reasons why someone can score badly on an IQ test, but most of them are psychological in nature, such as stress, fear, or other disturbed emotional states.
The reason can also be tiredness and inability to concentrate properly.
Also, some learning disabilities, like dyslexia can disable the person in performing their best on the test.
Because of these unpredictable circumstances in any particular case, IQ tests have a tolerance score which can range up to 20 points.
IQ 94 score meaning
The IQ score of 94 falls into the average intelligence category and it is nothing to be worried or depressed about because most people in the world have similar scores.
If you are not satisfied with your IQ score or your child’s IQ score of 94, you can always do something and raise the level of intelligence. It does require some effort and patience, but it can be done.
Because IQ tests usually focus to test the individual’s visual and spatial skills, general knowledge, reasoning, and logic, as well as the knowledge in science, math or other areas, it is recommendable to work on improving these skills and knowledge.
There are various activities you could try doing to increase intelligence, such as:
Read a lot. This is an excellent to increase your brain’s activity or your intelligence. Reading helps you gain knowledge and expand your vocabulary.
Meditation is known to calm the person’s brain and that is important for the development of the person’s intellect.
Playing Sudoku. Sudoku is an excellent builder of logic and challenges the brain enough to stimulate its development.
Having proper eating habits. Proper eating is essential for our overall health, but especially the health of our brain. It cannot function and develop without food and nutrients, and therefore be very careful about what you eat and when you eat. Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.
Learning how to play some instrument or playing an instrument. This activity is very beneficial for the brain because it occupies it during the stages of learning and playing.
Expand your vocabulary. Expanding your vocabulary means learning new words, which is essential for the increase of your intellect and intelligence level.
Focusing on a task until is finished. Focusing on a task is very important because lack of focus makes your mind wonder and cause confusion.
Setting goals. This activity is very important because it stimulates your brain to work on discovering ways to accomplish these goals.
Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for the entire body, especially our brain. Our brain cells need proper hydration so they can work properly.
Watch documentaries on TV. Although it can sometimes be boring, watching documentaries on TV helps raise the level of your knowledge and as a side effect increases the level of your intelligence.
Exercises are beneficial for the entire body and keep us energized as well as our brain.
Getting enough sleep and resting is essential for our health, especially our brain’s health. It helps the brain function properly and raises its performance.
Breathing deeply. Deep breathing is very important for our brain’s health, especially because it needs a lot of oxygen.
Eating food which is beneficial for the brain. There is a lot of food which is proven to have beneficial effects on the brain’s health, like nuts, fish oil, green vegetables, etc. and it is advisable to inform yourself on the list of food that are recommended and start consuming them on a regular basis.
Keep your brain occupied and working, but find time to rest and make breaks.
Learn a foreign language. A great way to increase your level of intelligence is to learn a foreign language. It keeps the brain occupied and working while trying to remember new rules and words. It also helps expand your memory.
Eat healthy bacteria. It is noted that people eat healthy bacteria which influence the raise of the person’s brain power. This helps the growth of new neurons.
Listen classical music. It is noted that classical music is beneficial for the brain and helps calm it to ensure better results of learning.
These are some of the things you can do to raise your IQ score. Whichever of these activities you choose to do, it is important to remember that intelligence can be changed and raised, and never be discouraged, because through focused and persistent efforts you will be able to raise it up to 20 points.
