Effective Methods for Enhancing Human Intelligence

Programs to Improve Intelligence

In modern psychology, intelligence remains a complex construct consisting of a set of mental processes and behavioral performances.

Origins of Programs to Improve Intelligence

• Social Studies
• Educational Studies
• Scientific Studies

Programs that teach people how to think assume that individuals differ in their intellectual potential. These differences are mainly due to skill factors and are, therefore, subject to change and improvement through training.

Major Programs to Improve Intelligence

Instrumental Enrichment Program (PEI)

The Instrumental Enrichment Program (PEI) (Feuerstein, 1980) is based on the theories of structural cognitive modifiability and mediated learning. It stands out for defining intelligence as a process subject to change in any individual and emphasizes the subject's active role in their own learning. Its aim is to provoke structural changes that alter the course and direction of cognitive development. Initially designed for pupils with special educational needs, it is now in widespread use.

Intelligence Project (Harvard University)

The Intelligence Project (Harvard University, 1983) designed a specific methodology to increase the intellectual potential of schoolchildren. The main objective was to produce materials and methods that could enhance thinking skills, especially those enabling the acquisition of other mental skills such as observation, comparison, classification, deductive and inductive reasoning, formulating and testing hypotheses, problem-solving, and inventiveness. These skills could be applied to different contexts, including school. The course was organized into 99 lessons, structured across 20 points and 6 series, which trained the following cognitive skills:

• Fundamentals of reasoning
• Understanding of language
• Verbal reasoning
• Troubleshooting
• Decision-making
• Inventive thought

Philosophy for Children

Philosophy for Children (Lipman et al.) is based on the idea that teaching individuals about their ability to think is both possible and more important than many academic subjects. Children are viewed as natural philosophers, making it essential to teach them a vocabulary appropriate for their age. The program bases its effectiveness on class discussions as a fundamental method of work and promotes cooperative learning. The Socratic teacher performs the role of guiding the search, inducing concerns, and focusing on the important aspects of the group's inquiry. This is a comprehensive program that serves children throughout their development and is intended for the educational community to embark on the purpose of learning to think, learn, and, in turn, act in a reasoned and critical manner.