Intelligence And Rhythmic Accuracy Go Hand In Hand

[RobinN]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0416100459.htm

Researchers at the medical university Karolinska Institutet and Umeå University have now demonstrated a correlation between general intelligence and the ability to tap out a simple regular rhythm. They stress that the task subjects performed had nothing to do with any musical rhythmic sense but simply measured the capacity for rhythmic accuracy. Those who scored highest on intelligence tests also had least variation in the regular rhythm they tapped out in the experiment.

Practice your rhythm folks - get tapping

[Bernard]

I'm gonna guess that rhythmic accuracy is just an indicator of optimal brain functioning and intelligence is a byproduct of that. I imagine that with EEG neurofeedback training, people can achieve better rhythmic accuracy, but it won't make them (immediately) more intelligent.

[speber]

[1096]

and by optimal brain functioning we're talking memory, listening and ability to focus, reflect etc etc

rhythmic accuracy in the sense that u hear a variation of claps per say (maybe 30 seconds) and have to clap it back as accurately as possible.

[speber]

...which is still an improvement!

I think the implied 'intelligence' must refer to more.

[RobinN]

http://ticktockbraintalk.blogspot.com/

This might be interesting reading for some.

[BuckeyeFan]

Interesting, but I have seen severely mentally handicapped people who constantly 'bang' out a rhythm as steady as can be. Sometimes the actions of the opposite ends of the intelligence range are pretty similar. Specialization? Extreme focus? ???

[speber]

My neighbor's oldest son has Down's syndrome and can keep an ominously accurate beat.

His 'thing' is to play a drum...and curiously enough, I could swear it's EXACTLY the same tempo every time...no matter what day of the week!

Very interesting.