Can IQ be increased from average to above average?

Increasing IQ from 100 to 115: Evidence and Possibilities

Based on current evidence, it is possible for IQ to increase from 100 to 115 through early intervention in children, but there is limited evidence supporting significant IQ increases in adults through specific interventions.

Evidence for IQ Increases in Children

• Early intervention programs for children with intellectual disability have demonstrated effectiveness in improving IQ scores. In one retrospective cohort study, children's IQ increased from an average of 57.0 to 65.1 after intervention, with earlier intervention showing better results 1.

• The effectiveness of early intervention appears to be more pronounced in:

  • Male children 1
  • Children whose mothers had lower educational levels 1
  • Children who received intervention at younger ages 1

• Developmental factors play a significant role in IQ stability. The "Wilson Effect" shows that IQ heritability increases with age, reaching approximately 0.80 by 18-20 years and remaining stable thereafter 2.

Factors Affecting IQ Stability and Change

• IQ appears to be more malleable in childhood and early adolescence, with increasing stability as individuals age 2.

• In individuals with developmental dyslexia, studies have shown changes in IQ components over time, with verbal IQ showing relative decreases while performance IQ improved significantly 3.

• Environmental factors may influence IQ development, particularly in early life stages when heritability has not yet reached its maximum 2.

Cognitive Interventions and Their Effects

• Cognitive training interventions have shown mixed results:

  • Computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation has demonstrated significant improvements in working memory in cancer patients with cognitive complaints 4.
  • Physical exercise interventions have shown improvements in neurocognitive outcomes in childhood cancer survivors 4.

• Pharmacological interventions for cognitive enhancement have limited evidence:

  • Medications like methylphenidate have shown minimal effects on cognitive scores 4.
  • Modafinil has demonstrated some enhancement in episodic memory, memory speed, and attention in specific populations 4.

Limitations and Considerations

• Most research on IQ improvement focuses on individuals with intellectual disabilities or cognitive impairments rather than those with average IQ 4.

• The clinical significance of observed IQ changes varies across studies, with many showing statistically significant but modest improvements 4.

• Interventions that show promise for cognitive enhancement include:

  • Early educational interventions 1
  • Physical exercise programs 4
  • Cognitive training approaches 4

Practical Implications

• For children, early intervention is critical for maximizing potential IQ improvements 1.

• For adults, cognitive training focused on specific domains (working memory, attention) may yield improvements in those areas, though evidence for global IQ increases is limited 4.

• Higher IQ in early adulthood has been associated with better health outcomes later in life, including reduced risk of coronary heart disease, highlighting the potential importance of cognitive enhancement 5.

• The relationship between IQ and life outcomes appears to be mediated by educational attainment and socioeconomic factors 5.

In conclusion, while modest IQ increases from 100 to 115 may be possible, particularly in children receiving early intervention, the evidence for substantial IQ increases in adults with average intelligence is limited. The most promising approaches involve comprehensive early intervention for children and targeted cognitive training for specific domains in adults.