Seeing yourself as Albert Einstein makes people more intelligent
People who see themselves as Albert Einstein suddenly think they are smarter: Being in the body of someone highly intelligent changes how people view their own intellect, find scientists
- People score better on cognitive tests if VR makes them look like the physicist
- Appearing like an intelligent person changes how people view their intellect
- This allows them to unlock mental resources they did not know they had
- Only occurs in those with low self esteem as they have more to gain
- Virtual reality may also reduce prejudice towards people of different races
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People who see themselves as Albert Einstein are more intelligent, new research suggests.
Donning a virtual-reality headset that makes users look like the famous physicist causes them to score better on cognitive tests, a study found.
Being in the body of someone highly intelligent is thought to change how people view their own intellect, allowing them to unlock mental resources they did not know they had, according to the researchers.
This only occurs in people with low self esteem due to them having the most to gain by changing how they think about themselves, the scientists add.
People who see themselves as Albert Einstein are more intelligent, new research suggests
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DOES INTELLIGENCE AFFECT PEOPLE’S LIFE EXPECTANCIES?
Clever people live longer due to so-called ‘intelligence genes’ that promote old age, research suggested in March 2018.
More than 500 genes linked to people having greater IQs have been identified by scientists, which is 10 times higher than previously thought.
It raises the possibility of testing for intelligence using saliva DNA samples.
Past research suggests intelligence genes boost the transmission of signals between different regions of the brain, as well as protecting against dementia and premature death.
Study author Dr David Hill, from Edinburgh University, said: ‘Intelligence is a heritable trait with estimates indicating between 50 and 80 per cent of differences in intelligence can be explained by genetic factors.
‘People with a higher level of cognitive function have been observed to have better physical and mental health, and to have longer lives.’
Results further suggest 538 genes play a role in intelligence, while 187 regions of the human genome are associated with thinking skills.
Dr Hill said: ‘Our study identified a large number of genes linked to intelligence.
‘First, we found 187 independent associations for intelligence and highlighted the role of 538 genes being involved – a substantial advance.
‘We used our data to predict almost seven per cent of the variation in intelligence in one of three independent samples.
‘Previous estimates of prediction have been around five per cent at most.’
How the research was carried out
The researchers, from the University of Barcelona, asked 30 men aged 18-to-30 to participate in a virtual embodiment experiment.
Prior to the experiment, the men completed a questionnaire that assessed their planning and problem-solving skills, self esteem and bias towards older people.
They then wore a body-tracking suit and virtual-reality headset. Half of the participants experienced a virtual Einstein body while the remainder had that of a normal adult.
Lead author Professor Mel Slater said: ‘Virtual reality can create the illusion of a virtual body to substitute your own, which is called virtual embodiment.
‘In an immersive virtual environment, participants can see this new body reflected in a mirror and it exactly matches their movements, helping to create a powerful illusion that the virtual body is their own.’
The participants then repeated the aforementioned tests.
Virtual embodiment may combat prejudices
Results further suggest more intelligent people do not improve as much after seeing themselves as Einstein, which may be due to them being bored by simple tasks.
The study’s participants who were made to look like Einstein also had less bias towards older people, which is thought to be due to the activity blurring the distinction between the elderly and themselves.
Previous research suggests virtual embodiment could help to combat racism, with white people being less prejudice if they see themselves as black.
The scientists behind the recent study add more research is required to determine how such experiments could be useful.
Professor Slater added: ‘It is possible that this technique might help people with low self esteem to perform better in cognitive tasks and it could be useful in education.’
The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
Donning a virtual-reality headset that makes users look like the famous physicist causes people to score better on cognitive tests, but only if they have low self esteem (stock)
Intelligence can protect against depression
This comes after research released last April suggested intelligent men are less likely to develop depression.
Having a high IQ reduces mental distress even in those with high levels of inflammation, a study found.
Previous research links inflammation with a higher risk of the mental-health disorder.
Study author Professor Eirini Flouri, from University College London, said: ‘There appears to be some protective effect of having a high IQ.’
This may be due to intelligent people being more likely to lead healthy lifestyles, such as eating well and exercising regularly, according to the researchers.
The study also found intelligence does not protect women from depression, which may be due to hormonal or immune-system differences between the sexes, they add.
Experts believe men can boost their intelligence, and therefore reduce their risk of the mental-health condition, by doing activities that improve their memories.
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