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A Canadian scientist suggests that perhaps we should be looking for a hormonal source to explain intelligence. University of Alberta researcher Marty Mrazik, Ph.D., says being extremely bright (having an IQ of 130 or more) may be due to prenatal exposure of testosterone. It is hypothesized that, in the same way that physical and cognitive deficiencies may develop in utero, so too could similar exposure to this naturally occurring chemical result in giftedness.
“There seems to be some evidence that excessive prenatal exposure to testosterone facilitates increased connections in the brain, especially in the right prefrontal cortex,” said Mrazik. “That’s why we see some intellectually gifted people with distinct personality characteristics that you don’t see in the normal population.”
Based on their observations, the researchers made the hypothesis that this hormonal “glitch” in the in-utero neurobiological development means that gifted children are born with an affinity for certain areas such as the arts, math or science.
"Testosterone Hormone Linked to Higher IQ, PsychCentral, 2011 March 14, https://psychcentral.com/news/2011/03/14/testosterone-hormone-linked-to-higher-iq/24379.html
“There seems to be some evidence that excessive prenatal exposure to testosterone facilitates increased connections in the brain, especially in the right prefrontal cortex,” said Mrazik. “That’s why we see some intellectually gifted people with distinct personality characteristics that you don’t see in the normal population.”
Based on their observations, the researchers made the hypothesis that this hormonal “glitch” in the in-utero neurobiological development means that gifted children are born with an affinity for certain areas such as the arts, math or science.
"Testosterone Hormone Linked to Higher IQ, PsychCentral, 2011 March 14, https://psychcentral.com/news/2011/03/14/testosterone-hormone-linked-to-higher-iq/24379.html
