Scientific American Mind Nov Dec 2012
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SPECIAL ISSUE BEHAVIOR • BRAIN SCIENCE • INSIGHTS MNovember/DecemberI 2012 ND www.ScientificAmerican.com/Mind THINK LIKE A GENIUS How exceptional intelligence and creativity arise Creativity Male versus on Demand Female Intelligence How to Brainstorm How to Your Next Raise a Big Idea Gifted Child Meet the Animals: Real Evil Smarter Than Geniuses We Think © 2012 Scientific American Attention Flexibility Memory Problem Solving Speed Working memory Help pioneer the understanding and enhancement of the human brain. With 25 million users worldwide and the largest database on human cognition ever assembled, Lumosity’s platform enables leading research collaborators to understand human cognition at the next level. Lumosity brings brilliant minds together, building tools that help everyone take charge of their brain health. Unlock your potential. lumosity.com Untitled-1 1 9/20/12 4:40 PM (from the editor) ™ MBEHAVIOR • BRAININD SCIENCE • I N S I G H T S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND EDITOR IN CHIEF: Mariette DiChristina MANAGING EDITOR: Sandra Upson EDITOR: Ingrid Wickelgren ART DIRECTOR: Patricia Nemoto ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR: Ann Chin COPY DIRECTOR: Maria-Christina Keller SENIOR COPY EDITOR: Daniel C. Schlenoff COPY EDITOR: Aaron Shattuck EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATOR: Avonelle Wing SENIOR SECRETARY: Maya Harty CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Gareth Cook, David Dobbs, Robert Epstein, Emily Laber- Warren, Karen Schrock Simring, Victoria Stern MANAGING PRODUCTION EDITOR: Richard Hunt SENIOR PRODUCTION EDITOR: Michelle Wright BOARD OF ADVISERS: HAL ARKOWITZ: Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Arizona STEPHEN J. CECI: Professor of Developmental Psychology, Cornell University R. DOUGLAS FIELDS: Chief, Nervous System Development and Plasticity Section, National Real Genius Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development “Imagine a world in which every work of genius was stripped away, a world with- S. ALEXANDER HASLAM: Professor of Social out great literature, art, philosophy, science or even technology. We would be liv- and Organizational Psychology, ing in a very barren world, huddling in some cave, shivering in the cold.” University of Queensland CHRISTOF KOCH: Chief Scientific Officer, So began a recent exchange with psychologist Dean Keith Simonton on the mer- Allen Institute for Brain Science, and its of studying genius. Few of us can be the best, I argued, playing devil’s advocate, Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Biology, California Institute of Technology so why bother with the topic? Simonton countered that we can be proactive about SCOTT O. LILIENFELD: Professor of Psychology, encouraging genius, so that someday our present lives will look just as barren. In this Emory University special issue devoted to the topic of genius, we explore the cognitive components that STEPHEN L. MACKNIK, Director, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuropsychology, make great works possible and ways to help brilliance bloom. Barrow Neurological Institute The first question most people ask about genius is how to define it. Singer-song- SUSANA MARTINEZ-CONDE, Director, Laboratory of Visual Neuroscience, Barrow writer Beck offered this explanation: “Must have hair going everywhere.” The icon- Neurological Institute ic Albert Einstein hair, captured on our cover, implies irreverence and a touch of ec- JOHN H. MORRISON: Chairman, Department centricity. As Simonton writes in “The Science of Genius,” starting on page 34, open- of Neuroscience, and Director, Neurobiology of Aging Laboratories, Mount Sinai School ness to peripheral ideas is common among highly innovative people. Their hobbies of Medicine end up enriching their thought processes. Although it may sound like science fiction, VILAYANUR S. RAMACHANDRAN: Director, Center for the Brain and Cognition, University in “Switching on Creativity,” neuroscientist Allan W. Snyder and his colleagues de- of California, San Diego, and Adjunct Professor, scribe an experimental brain stimulation technique they are developing for inducing Salk Institute for Biological Studies such openness and creative insight. Turn to page 58. DIANE ROGERS-RAMACHANDRAN: Research Associate, Center for the Brain and Cognition, Families can foster creativity, too, once they see its early signs. Artistic sensibili- University of California, San Diego ties and even passion can emerge as early as age two. See page 42 for more on how STEPHEN D. REICHER: Professor of Psychology, University of St. Andrews talent unfolds in “Predicting Artistic Brilliance,” by psychologists Jennifer E. Drake Some of the articles in Scientific American Mind and Ellen Winner. Exposing youngsters to a wide range of experiences increases the are adapted from articles originally chances that a child will get inspired and start developing a new skill, as psycholo- appearing in Gehirn & Geist. SENIOR PRODUCTION MANAGER: gist Rena F. Subotnik et al. write in “Nurturing the Young Genius,” on page 50. Christina Hippeli No crazy hair? No problem. Let our experts help you tap into your inner Einstein. ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER: Carl Cherebin Great minds really do think alike—and that is excellent news for the rest of us. PREPRESS AND QUALITY MANAGER: Silvia De Santis CUSTOM PUBLISHING MANAGER: Sandra Upson Madelyn Keyes-Milch Managing Editor PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: COVER IMAGE BY AARON GOODMAN; GOODMAN; AARON BY IMAGE COVER PERMISSION WITH USED INC., AMERICAN, SCIENTIFIC OF TRADEMARK A IS MIND AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC Lisa Headley [email protected] www.ScientificAmerican.com/Mind SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND 1 © 2012 Scientific American (contents) Volume 23, Number 5, November/December 2012MIND SPECIAL ISSUE: GENIUS FEATURES 30 >> That’s Genius! BY THE EDITORS 32 >> Geniuses: A Timeline BY LAUREN F. FRIEDMAN 34 >> The Science of Genius Outstanding creativity in all domains may stem from shared attributes and a common process of discovery. BY DEAN KEITH SIMONTON Also: “When High IQs Hang Out,” by Lena Groeger 42 >> Predicting Artistic Brilliance A “rage to master,” as observed in some precocious young artists, may help define extreme visual creativity. BY JENNIFER E. DRAKE AND ELLEN WINNER Also: “So You Want to Be a Genius,” by Daisy Yuhas 50 >> Nurturing the Young Genius Renewing our commitment to gifted education is the key to a more innovative, productive and culturally rich society. BY RENA F. SUBOTNIK, PAULA OLSZEWSKI- KUBILIUS AND FRANK C. WORRELL 58 >> Switching on Creativity Cases of savant syndrome have inspired an electrical brain stimulation technique for boosting creative insight. BY ALLAN W. SNYDER, SOPHIE ELLWOOD AND RICHARD P. CHI 63 >> Where Are All the Female Geniuses? Today most women choose work-life balance over a single-minded pursuit of eminence, although that choice is not entirely freely made. BY SANDRA UPSON AND LAUREN F. FRIEDMAN 66 >> The Social Genius of Animals New research reveals that animals interact in surprisingly sophisticated ways. BY KATHERINE HARMON 34 2 SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND November/December 2012 © 2012 Scientific American DEPARTMENTS 1 >> From the Editor 72 >> Facts and Fictions in Mental Health 4 >> Letters Finding ways to lessen age-related forgetfulness. BY HAL ARKOWITZ AND SCOTT O. LILIENFELD >> 6 Head Lines >> How kids keep us young. 74 We’re Only Human >> The real trauma in PTSD may stem from >> Reason better in a second language. troubled civilian life. >> Practice music in your sleep. BY WRAY HERBERT >> Target sleep to improve mental health. >> Illusions of control in schizophrenia. 76 >> Reviews and Recommendations >> Meditate now, stay healthy later. Consciousness and learning. Fulfilling expecta- >> Let your pet improve your work performance. tions in the brain. Rising IQ in the 21st century. >> Why we love reruns. Psychology of the criminal justice system. >> How Alzheimer’s spreads. Also: Engineering a better brain. 18 74 23 23 >> Illusions 78 >> Ask the Brains Spooky illusions trick and treat your brain. Why is it impossible to render the mind BY STEPHEN L. MACKNIK a complete blank? Why does memory AND SUSANA MARTINEZ-CONDE for names seem to deteriorate with age? 26 >> Perspectives 79 >> Head Games Unveiling the True Evil Genius Match wits Q&A with Duke University behavioral economist with the Mensa and author Dan Ariely. puzzlers. BY INGRID WICKELGREN >> Perspectives 80 >> Mind in 28 Pictures Self-Awareness Your Brain by with a Simple Brain the Numbers. Some forms of consciousness may not require BY DWAYNE an intact cerebrum. GODWIN AND BY FERRIS JABR JORGE CHAM Scientific American Mind (ISSN 1555-2284), Volume 23, Number 5, November/December 2012, published bimonthly by Scientific American, a trading name of Nature America, Inc., 75 Varick Street, 9th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10013-1917. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y., and additional mailing offices. 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