Can one control and truly direct his/her thoughts? Have you ever been on a diet and just could not stop thinking about your favorite slice of pizza? Did you ever hear a song that made your mind immediately go back to a first date? It seems as if the very thoughts that we seek to avoid in our minds end up plaguing us beyond relief. Those unwanted thoughts can literally rob us of our peace and mental tranquility.
Wegner (1988) posts that our dilemma does not actually lie within the thoughts that trouble our consciousness. He argues that the trouble arises from our inability to suppress those thoughts. When we seek to repress certain thoughts, we actually begin to focus on them even more. If someone told you not to think about a black cat, could you do it? Let us try it. Do not think about a black cat? Now quickly, what is on your mind? (Is it a black cat?) As you read this section, you will gain great insight into mental manipulation and representations. Begin to notice how you actually categorize certain objects. Are all of your thoughts conscious ones? Can you think about something without actually realizing it?
Do you listen to your “gut” when you are seeking to make a decision? Have you ever just had a “bad feeling” about a particular individual? How did you get these feelings? Were they inherited? As you continue throughout your readings, begin to examine your ability to make rational decisions. According to Brown (1997), research was conducted in London, England, which suggests that daughters often inherit intuition from their fathers. The study examined the ability to recognize appropriate social behaviors, and to decode nonverbal cues. Eighty-eight families participated in the study in which the daughters had been diagnosed with Turner’s syndrome (those that only have a single X chromosome). The parents were instructed to rate their daughters on several measures of social intelligence. It was then determined if the single X chromosome had been inherited from the girl’s mother or father. The results were quite astonishing. Measures of “intuition” were worse in the population who had received X chromosomes from the mothers. So, what do you think? If you are female, are your reasoning abilities more closely aligned with that of your father? If you’re male, what future implications might this mean for your daughters?
Do you think humans are inherently rational? Further examination of this section will reveal more barriers to rational thinking and reasoning abilities. According to Jungermann (1986), there are two sides to this debate. Some scholars purport that humans possess many biases which ultimately lead to illogical decision making. On the other hand, many argue that although we are sometimes guilty of making bad decisions, for the most part we are fairly rational beings. On which side of the camp have you pitched your tent? As you read this section, closely examine the areas which might lead to poor decisions.
Got milk?
Although it has been widely accepted that breast milk is better for infants than formula in regards to gastrointestinal issues, more research is emerging which might shed light on other areas of benefit. Studies have been conducted which show correlations between IQ scores and breastfeeding. Participants who were breastfed had IQ scores that were 6 or 7 points higher than their non-breastfed counterparts. Many scholars posit that breastfeeding assists brain development, which ultimately leads to an increase in cognitive abilities. Conversely, others argue that the mere decision to breastfeed could be correlated to other factors that influence intelligence. The mother’s IQ, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status also influence her decision to breastfeed, and these variables influence intelligence as well (Der, Batty, & Deary, 2006). As you read the section on intelligence, begin to examine your own thoughts, and look for ways in which to proactively increase one’s intelligence.
As you conclude your study of this chapter, take a moment to reflect upon your personal opinion in regards to intelligence? Can ACT and SAT scores accurately predict how well an individual will perform in college? Is there one particular characteristic in an individual that will automatically guarantee success or failure in life? What typically motivates achievement? Can one be considered intelligent in other areas, including musical and kinesthetic abilities? Continue to embrace critical thinking as you examine the issues. Is there more to intelligence than meets the eye?
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