The evidence for Geary’s theory on the role of mitochondrial functioning in human intelligence is not entirely convincing
Geary (2018, 2019) suggested that heritable and environmentally caused differences in mitochondrial functioning affect the integrity and efficiency of neurons and supporting glia cells and may thus contribute to individual differences in higher-order cognitive functioning and physical health. In our...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
20 July 2020
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| In: |
Journal of Intelligence
Year: 2020, Volume: 8, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-8 |
| ISSN: | 2079-3200 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/jintelligence8030029 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence8030029 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/8/3/29 
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| Author Notes: | Anna-Lena Schubert and Dirk Hagemann |
| Summary: | Geary (2018, 2019) suggested that heritable and environmentally caused differences in mitochondrial functioning affect the integrity and efficiency of neurons and supporting glia cells and may thus contribute to individual differences in higher-order cognitive functioning and physical health. In our comment, we want to pose three questions aimed at different aspects of Geary’s theory that critically evaluate his theory in the light of evidence from neurocognitive, cognitive enhancement, and behavioral genetics research. We question (1) if Geary’s theory explains why certain cognitive processes show a stronger age-related decline than others; (2) if intervention studies in healthy younger adults support the claim that variation in mitochondrial functioning underlies variation in human intelligence; and (3) if predictions arising from the matrilineal heredity of mitochondrial DNA are supported by behavioral genetics research. We come to the conclusion that there are likely many more biological and social factors contributing to variation in human intelligence than mitochondrial functioning. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 15.03.2022 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2079-3200 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/jintelligence8030029 |