Investigating Intelligence: A Conversation with John Duncan

Howard Burton

Oct 2020 · Open Agenda Publishing

About this ebook

This book is based on an in-depth filmed conversation between Howard Burton and neuroscientist John Duncan, University of Cambridge, and examines fascinating questions in neuroscience such as: What is intelligence and what does IQ testing tell us? Can intelligence be measured and improved? What role does our frontal lobe play in executive control? John Duncan has rigorously investigated these types of issues for years and this conversation covers all those questions plus topics such as impairments following brain damage, functional brain imaging, and the brain basis for attention, intelligence and cognitive control. 

This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Thinking Deeper, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter:

I. Searching For A Definition - A curious correlation

II. Trusting Your Gut - Intuitions and contradictions

III. Paradigmatic Examples - Some test are more g-relevant than others

IV. Different Types of Knowledge - Crystallized vs. fluid

V. Another Correlation - The power of organization

VI. Selecting Solutions - Finding focus

VII. Looking Inside - Harnessing modern technology

VIII. Implications - Future possibilities

IX. Assessing the Landscape - Reactions and speculations

X. Pure and Applied - Bringing it all home

About Ideas Roadshow Conversations: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.