Is Forehead Shape related to intelligence?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential relationship between forehead shape and intelligence in humans and other species. Participants explore various perspectives, including historical views like phrenology, anecdotal experiences, and scientific considerations regarding brain structure and intelligence.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether different shapes of foreheads indicate varying degrees of intelligence.
  • One participant notes personal experience of increased intelligence without a change in forehead shape.
  • Phrenology is mentioned as a historical reference point for the discussion.
  • Microcephaly is cited as an extreme case where forehead shape may correlate with intelligence.
  • Neanderthals are referenced for having larger brains and more sloped foreheads, raising questions about their intelligence relative to modern humans.
  • Conflicting reports are discussed regarding the correlation between forehead size and intelligence, with some suggesting that forehead extension may relate to brain cooling or overheating.
  • One participant humorously suggests a correlation based on the distance of the forehead from the sphincter.
  • There is a claim that animals with foreheads resembling humans tend to be more intelligent, though this is contested.
  • Participants express skepticism about the scientific basis for linking forehead shape to intelligence, emphasizing that other factors like brain folding and cortex area are more critical.
  • One participant highlights that intelligence cannot be solely determined by size or shape, using examples from avian intelligence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the relationship between forehead shape and intelligence. Some argue against any correlation, while others propose various hypotheses, indicating an ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include a lack of empirical evidence supporting claims, reliance on anecdotal experiences, and the complexity of defining intelligence beyond physical characteristics.

Atran
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Hi, Do different shapes of forehead indicate different degrees of intelligence?
Considering humans, Is there any relation between intelligence and forehead shape?

Thanks...
 
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I've become more intelligent over the years, but I don't think my forehead has changed shape as a result.
 
Google phrenology
 
Microcephaly is an extreme case where it very clearly does.
 
Neanderthals had larger brains and more sloped foreheads than us.
 
Atran said:
Hi, Do different shapes of forehead indicate different degrees of intelligence?
Considering humans, Is there any relation between intelligence and forehead shape?

Thanks...

In the general population, there is no such relationship.
 
I have heard conflicting reports. Some say people get wiser when their forehead extends, because brain cooling improves. Others say forehead extends in those wise, as an effect of brain overheating. In both cases there is an implied correlation between forehead size and intelligence. But that's size, not shape.
 
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lisab said:
In the general population, there is no such relationship.

I disagree. In general, the closer an animal's forehead resembles a human's, the more intelligent it is. ;-)
 
I would argue that placement is more critical, as a direct relationship between distance of forehead from sphincter and intelligence.

;)
 
  • #10
Pythagorean said:
Google phrenology
So there is no scientific evidence for the forehead-shape relation to intelligence.

ThomasEdison said:
Neanderthals had larger brains and more sloped foreheads than us.
I wonder how much intelligent they were.

Borek said:
I have heard conflicting reports. Some say people get wiser when their forehead extends, because brain cooling improves. Others say forehead extends in those wise, as an effect of brain overheating. In both cases there is an implied correlation between forehead size and intelligence. But that's size, not shape.
Do you have some good links? If true, I wonder what specific part(s) of brain is (are) improving and increasing the size of the brain.

skeptic2 said:
I disagree. In general, the closer an animal's forehead resembles a human's, the more intelligent it is. ;-)
Not necessarily, you can find some intelligent animals whose foreheads is not shaped as humans (http://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/top-15-smartest-and-most-intelligent-animals/). Greats apes are the most intelligent, since, for instance, 99% of genes are identical between humans and chimpanzees.

- - - - -

I considered normal healthy people when I first asked my question.

- - - - -

What determines intelligence? Cortex area and thickness, amount of gray cells... What more? Does the frontal lobe play a important role in intelligence?
By 'intelligence' I mean the capacity to reason, understand, enjoy complexity...
 
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