Intelligence differences: neural transmission errors or cerebral arousability?

Abstract

Considers the thesis that intelligence differences and EEG‐intelligence correlations can both be explained in terms of differences in the frequency of neural transmission errors. Considers an alternative theory which holds that intelligence variance and correlated EEG variance are both caused by variation of cerebral arousability. Refers to technical and methodological problems that bedevil the EEG‐intelligence literature and measurement difficulties that have arisen through lack of adequate concepts. Concludes that the principal measurement problems derive from failure to appreciate the important distinction that must be made between “cerebral arousal” and “cerebral arousability”; and that any useful EEG‐intelligence concept must go beyond vague and general ideas such as “neural efficiency” or “neural transmission errors” to explain how EEG differences relate to differences in brain function that can account for the main facts recorded in the intelligence literature.

Citation

Robinson, D.L. and Behbehani, J. (1997), "Intelligence differences: neural transmission errors or cerebral arousability?", Kybernetes, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 407-424. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684929710176421