Brain Structure and Function: Intelligence emerges from the complex interplay of different brain regions:
- Prefrontal Cortex: Executive functions, working memory, and abstract reasoning
- Hippocampus: Memory formation and spatial navigation
- Anterior Cingulate Cortex: Attention control and conflict monitoring
- Parietal Cortex: Spatial processing and mathematical reasoning
- Temporal Lobes: Language processing and semantic memory
White Matter vs. Gray Matter: Intelligence correlates with both:
- Gray Matter: The density of neural cell bodies (processing power)
- White Matter: The efficiency of connections between brain regions (processing speed)
Neural Efficiency Hypothesis: Smarter brains often work more efficiently, not harder. They show:
- Less overall activation during cognitive tasks
- More focused activation in relevant brain regions
- Faster information transfer between regions
- Better coordination between different brain networks