cognitive-science37.18 min read
When thoughts drift, the brain learns hidden patterns more readily, study finds
10 days ago•Source: PsyPost
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Smart by Nature, Stunted by Childhood: Adversity halves intelligence’s trust boost
Higher cognitive ability generally increases generalized trust, but childhood disadvantage weakens this link by about 50%, suggesting early adversity dampens how intelligence translates into social cooperation and contributing to intergenerational inequality.
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Faces That Stick: Memorable Faces Boost Name Recall
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Your workouts may prime your brain chemistry, not just your muscles
A 12-week aerobic training program in sedentary adults increased the acute release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after hard workouts and altered activity in the prefrontal cortex during attention and inhibition tasks. While participants improved their cardiovascular endurance and showed brain signaling changes linked to efficiency, there was no significant improvement in cognitive test scores. The study highlights a potential mechanism by which fitness supports brain function, though it relies on small sample size and maximum-exertion exercise, with serum vs plasma measurements providing different perspectives on BDNF delivery.
Wisdom steers creativity toward prosocial action, study finds
A PsyPost study across two large samples finds wisdom acts as a moral regulator for creativity: in low-wisdom individuals, higher creativity predicted lower willingness to help others, while high-wisdom individuals showed creativity linked with greater social mindfulness and prosocial tendencies; results suggest wisdom is key to steering creativity toward socially constructive ends, with intelligence showing less alignment.
Smart men less tied to traditional politics, study finds
A long-running German study of gifted (IQ 130+) and non-gifted adults shows they largely share the same political views, with one gender-based exception: non-gifted men score higher on conservatism than gifted men, while women show no difference. The results support cognitive-flexibility and centering ideas, suggesting high intelligence does not predict radical politics, though the study’s small sample and Germany-specific context limit generalizability.
Smart minds may misread mental health tests
Two large US datasets show standard mental health surveys may mismeasure distress in highly intelligent people because the questions do not function the same across IQ levels (a lack of measurement invariance). An initial nonlinear pattern suggested mental health improves with intelligence up to a point before declining, but advanced analyses indicate the test items lose diagnostic power at high IQ, casting doubt on conclusions about the mental health of the gifted and underscoring the need for assessments designed for highly intelligent individuals.
Scent-based cognitive boost: a complex essential oil blend improves memory in a small trial
A 90-participant double-blind study found inhaling a Genius essential oil blend (patchouli, neroli, grapefruit, cardamom, frankincense, spikenard, rosemary, lemongrass) improved memory and executive-function performance in healthy adults compared with no aroma and sage oil controls, while also increasing brain metabolism during demanding tasks as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. However, the metabolic increase did not directly explain the performance gains; participants also reported higher alertness and less fatigue. Delivery via a diffuser introduced variability in dosage, and the study assessed only acute, single-session effects. The findings suggest essential-oil aromas can offer small, safe, complementary cognitive benefits but are not a medical treatment; standardizing delivery and testing long-term effects are needed.