What is the difference between mind and intellect?

Where to begin

Brain, mind, intelligence, intellect, consciousness and the unconscious - what unites these meanings and what is their fundamental difference?
Each person has his own subjective understanding of the meaning of these words. I have long been interested in how they are similar and how they are different, what follows from what and what interacts with what. At first glance, these terms are largely similar in meaning, but in fact, I want to divide them into two completely different groups. When I decided to write this article, I had some idea of what I would write about.
And yet, before starting, I looked at information about this in various sources. I also used a translator to check if there was a difference in the meanings of these words in the English version. This didn't give me any results. During translation, many meanings overlapped with each other. For example, “mind” means mind and intelligence, attention and even soul in a certain context. As for explanatory dictionaries, in some of them the author’s interpretation agreed with my opinion, and in others it was absolutely opposed. Having collected all the information and my personal understanding together, I took the risk of sharing with you what I ended up with. Let's understand these concepts together.

An example of the Russian intelligentsia

I have always been alarmed by the savagery of the Russian intelligentsia in matters of the political life of the state. Often “intellectuals” simply criticize everything around them, call the people cattle, but at the same time they do not offer anything of their own that would work better than the current system.

When their positions win, something terrible begins to happen in the country. Universal freedom immediately turns into slavery and poverty, everything around falls apart.

Because these are intellectuals who should not be concerned with political issues at all. They have no plan, no long-term thinking. There is only disagreement, protest, which is not supported by reasonable proposals.

Concept

From Latin this word is translated as understanding, knowledge. Intelligence is the ability of our brain to understand and solve certain problems.

Plato was the first to raise the idea of the cult of intellect. In all his texts he attached great importance to thinking. He wrote that life without curiosity, the desire to learn new things, is impossible. Plato was fully supported by his student Aristotle, who developed the concept of the primacy of reason. He said that the one who has the inclination to rule should rule, and others should obey.

The level of mental abilities can be developed and increased, or it can be decreased. Academician Moiseev states that intelligence is the creation of a successful strategy, planning your steps, which will help you achieve your desired goal. This is the organization of one’s life and activities with the help of other abilities, which include: learning, thinking, the ability to classify, integrate, isolate unnecessary things, find connections and patterns.

The main properties of intelligence are:

curiosity - the desire to learn something new, to explore phenomena; depth of mind - the ability to find the main and important things in a pile of information, and weed out the unnecessary; logic - consistency of reasoning, the ability to build reasonable and correct chains, taking into account relationships and details; mental flexibility - a person’s ability to use his capabilities, experience, knowledge, without using templates, but creating his own solutions to problems; breadth of thinking - the ability to fully study data, not lose information, see several solutions to a problem; critical thinking - the ability to evaluate the result of work, find the right ones and weed out the false ones, also the ability to change the path if it is not the true one; evidence of the mind is to find facts and use them at the right moment to make sure that the goal is correct.

In ordinary life, an individual always uses his thinking abilities to understand the world around him, take next steps and find the optimal solution. It is quite difficult to imagine even a day of life without the ability to analyze the situation and compare facts and objects.

Only through the thought process is there the possibility of self-development and personal improvement. Without intelligence, a person would not be able to make scientific breakthroughs, create cures for dangerous diseases, create music, or paint pictures.

Exercises to develop intelligence

How about giving your mind a workout right now? I have prepared several exercises and games to develop intelligence.

Logic problems

Logic problems will make your brain work hard. Open a database with questions about the game “What? Where? When?”, choose a package of questions and plunge headlong into the process. I warn you - the questions are quite difficult, especially for beginners.

Therefore, to begin with, choose a package designed for schoolchildren. To give you an idea of what the questions are, here's an example.

The writer Boris Stern once said that the first book he read was a science fiction novel with three failed murder attempts and one successful one. What is this book?

This is a simple question, try to answer it yourself. You will find the answer at the end of the article. Just don't peek!

Mathematical examples

Buy or download a math problem book and solve examples from there from time to time. Try to calculate simple problems in your head, and solve more difficult ones in writing for a while.

Of course, some may find this boring and tedious. Mathematical problems with tricks were invented especially for such people. At first glance, they seem simple and uncomplicated. But the answer that seemed obvious most often turns out to be wrong. I’ll give an example from my favorite book “Puzzles of Professor Puzzles” by Mikhail Gershenzon.

One day a snail started traveling along a high wall. The wall was 10 meters high. During the day, the snail crawled up 3 meters, and during the night moved back 2 meters. How many days did it take the snail to get to the top of the wall?

What do most people do when they try to solve this problem? Calculate how many meters the snail crawls per day (3 - 2 = 1), and divide the height of the wall by this number (10 / 1 = 10). And they get the wrong answer. The correct answer is 8 days. And why, you yourself try to explain in the comments to the article. Let's check how your intellect works now.

Essays

We've done some math, now let's imagine that we're in a Russian language lesson. Write an essay on one of the given topics.

What superpower would you like to have and why.
What will you do if you find out that the world is going to end in a month?
Which cartoon character would you like to be like?
Imagine winning a million dollars in the lottery. What will you spend the money on?
Which great person of the past would you like to meet? Describe the meeting.

In fact, you can write on absolutely any topic. The very process of putting thoughts into material form has a beneficial effect on the intellect. You learn to think consistently, highlight the main thing and cut off the unimportant. Try not just to write randomly, but to create text that would be interesting to read. Look, you’ll master the profession of a copywriter.

Meditation exercises

Meditation will help you bring order to your head and get rid of obstacles that hinder the development of your intellect. You can find many meditation techniques on the Internet, I advise you to try several and choose the one that suits you best.

And I will describe to you my favorite exercise, which combines meditation and autogenic training.

Imagine that you were able to look into your skull and see your brain. Look at it from all sides, look at every curve. Now imagine that you begin to massage it with imaginary fingers. First the outer layer, then deeper and deeper.

Massaging movements relax your brain and fill it with pleasant warmth. If extraneous thoughts arise, do not pay attention to them. They come and go like waves on the surface of the ocean. When you reach the peak of relaxation, stay in this state. Let your brain rest from the endless bustle and stress.

Mind and Intelligence

Consciousness, mind, intellect and reason are by their nature parts of the human thinking apparatus, but they only perform their functions in different ways. Mind and intelligence are close concepts to each other. They have certain differences, but very often their functions overlap. By differences I mean:

The mind is the accumulated experience and knowledge base. Where and how to act, depending on how familiar and “correct” it is.

Intelligence is a way of thinking, a test of improvisation. For example, how to get out of a situation in which you have never been and do not have sufficient knowledge and experience in this area. Despite these differences, their basic functions are similar. The level of intelligence determines the mental ability of an individual. This is clearly seen from the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century, scientists proposed to determine the degree of mental giftedness using specialized tests (IQ test, intelligence tests). Many people know and have passed similar tests. The test result to some extent shows whether a person is “smart” or “fool”. Although these tests have a lot of shortcomings and lack of consideration of many important factors such as: the individual’s logical or creative thinking, the degree of preliminary preparedness for this type of task. All this allows the test to make a bunch of errors as a result. But more about this some other time. Now let's return to our topic and continue to analyze the terms “mind” and “intelligence”. For the purposes of this article, I will combine them into one similar definition since we will mainly compare them with the concept of “mind”.

I found this terminology regarding intelligence in the Psychological Dictionary:

“In modern Western psychology, the most common understanding of intelligence is as a biopsychic adaptation to the current circumstances of life (V. Stern, J. Piaget, etc.)”

This reminded me of how at one of the seminars S.V. Kovalev defined the mind as a part of the thinking apparatus that is responsible for biosurvival processes. Such as satisfying your basic needs: preserving life, procreation, finding food and shelter, etc. In principle, everything that is inherent in living organisms (animals). In the modern world, with all the amenities and relative safety, with the ability to get food, sometimes without leaving home, the need for the mind has sharply decreased and it has stopped evolving. Therefore, if a person continues to live only in his mind, without connecting his mind, then he degrades. Metaphorically speaking, “he goes up the stairs leading down.”

How intelligence is conveyed

There is not and cannot be one single gene that encodes intelligence and, in theory, could or could not be transmitted to a child from parents. Yes, intelligence is a polygenic trait. Its components, cognitive skills, too. Point your finger and shout: “Wow, intelligence!” - will not work. We see only particulars: for example, there is a connection between the speed of perception and IQ through common genetic traits. And the FNBP1L gene is associated with both childhood and adult intelligence.

The heritability of intelligence has been studied in families, in twins, in siblings (brothers and sisters), in particular in adopted children, and now in huge amounts of data. Thus, the 2011 intelligence study was conducted on data from 3,511 adults. 549,692 SNPs—single nucleotide polymorphisms (that is, differences in DNA of one nucleotide in size)—were studied.

According to the results of the study, 40% of the variations in “crystallized” and 51% of the variations in “fluid” intelligence are actually associated with genetics, that is, intellectual differences are partly due to variations in genes.

At the same time, the authors believe that the individual effects of specific SNPs are too small to be significant at the genome level, so a very, very large sample is needed to identify them. Scientists are getting closer to it. Thus, in the 2021 study, 248,482 people are already being studied; 187 new genomic loci, 538 genes associated with intelligence... Luxurious.

Throughout life, intelligence plus or minus is stable, if you adjust for insanity - thanks to the intelligence study, which the subjects took twice, at 11 years old and at 77.

The level of heritability of intelligence varies linearly from year to year: from 20% heritability in childhood to 60% in adulthood and 40% in adolescence. As we age, our genetic differences increasingly determine our intelligence, and environmental influences diminish.

Previously, the prevailing view in science was that the child was formed by his environment, no matter what he was given. Scientists now believe that as we get older, we begin to create for ourselves an environment that correlates with our genetic tendencies, and to change intellectually in response to it.

It used to be believed that if you raise a professor in a barn among piglets, a boar will definitely grow up. Now it turns out that the professor, growing up, will set up a university around him, although he has never seen a graduate student.

What you inherited from your parents became your own, personally chosen.

High intelligence is directly related to education. Education, in turn, is linked to health and life: less educated people die earlier. And high intelligence and reliability promise longevity.

At the same time, all of humanity is getting smarter; this is called the “Flynn effect.” It was James Flynn who discovered that between 1932 and 1978 the average American grew 13.8 IQ points wiser, and then checked how it was in other countries. It turned out that it was also growing. Or it grew then: experts now suggest that IQ will develop unevenly in the 21st century. In regions where this indicator is on average low, it will increase by 6–7 points, but in the West it will add no more than one point, and in the USA it will generally fall by 0.45 points.

Structure

The processes in our head are so complex and diverse that they are not subject to structuring according to several criteria. Comparing a talented mathematician with a brilliant composer is difficult and unproductive.

Psychologist Daria Milai

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J.P. Guilford presented a three-dimensional cubic model in which he identified 120 mental abilities (memory, analysis, assessment, expression of thoughts, etc.) and structured them into three components:

Content (what we think about).
Operation (as we think).
Result (what the process leads to).

Some people are able to quickly draw conclusions and make decisions, others are close to flashes of insight with an instant understanding of the essence (remember Archimedes with his “eureka”), others are fixated on the assumption that came first. An intellectually developed person can live happily all his life, while thinking haphazardly and impulsively, without going beyond standards and stereotypes.

Your Majesty Reason

In contrast to the mind stands Reason. I would like to write it with a capital letter so as not to confuse it with that mind, which in definitions is often considered synonymous with intelligence. Everything is very subtle.

Reason is based on intuition and is associated with knowledge and with the wisdom of the universe. It can develop indefinitely. Reason is inherent in every person, and awakens and develops only in solving problems not related to biosurvival. Such tasks include creativity, self-actualization, and development of one’s self. Everything without which you will not feel special, chosen, aware of what this world is for you and what you are for this world, and for yourself. Without which you are just a bag of skin with organs and bones and endless desires to eat, buy, hang out, lie on the sofa and everything like that.

As it is believed among scientists, only humans have intelligence; animals do not have it (although species such as dolphins most likely have it).

“Reason, the highest level of human cognitive activity, the ability to think logically, comprehending the Meaning and connection of phenomena, to understand the laws of development of the world, society and consciously find appropriate ways to transform them.” Extract from Ushakov's explanatory dictionary.

Much is very similar to my understanding, except for “thinking logically” and “consciously finding.” Still, Reason, unlike the mind, is based on unconscious processes and is rather not logical, but intuitive.

Development methods

For centuries, people have been concerned with how to increase a person's mental abilities. Many people have set themselves the goal of increasing their cognitive abilities in order to live into old age.

It is true that genetic predisposition plays an important role when it comes to intelligence. But: the brain can also be well trained.

The smarter you are, the better you are at solving difficult problems. That's why it's worth strengthening your own intelligence.

In children

The role of parents is to spend time observing and interacting with their child and provide them with opportunities to learn and develop by introducing them to new things, taking them to interesting places or providing materials at home including household items, toys, educational games and books. Playing with parents, playing alone and playing with other children is key to developing a child's intelligence, which contributes not only to cognitive development, but also to physical, social and language development.

In adults

Using various methods and exercises, you can not only improve your physical fitness, but also increase your IQ:

Although there is considerable debate about the exact nature of intelligence, no definitive conceptualization has emerged. Today, psychologists often explain multiple theoretical perspectives when discussing intelligence and acknowledge that the debate is ongoing.

Natalia Shakhova

Diagnostics

Intelligence studies are carried out on the basis of various methods and techniques. All of them are based on two principles: testing and experimentation. For example, logical thinking and pattern identification skills are revealed using Raven's progressive matrices. Amthauer tests specialize in orientation in professional activities. Both the first and second technologies are developed for people of different ages. To evaluate a child, the Goodenough-Harris method is suitable, which gives an assessment based on a child’s drawing. All these developments are decades old, they are unified and give average readings.

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Information storage

If our consciousness is responsible for the mind and intellect, then the mind is the area of the unmanifested reality of the unconscious world (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Location and distribution of mind, intellect and intelligence

Man as a cosmic being is connected to two information repositories. One is our ordinary human brain, and the second is the giant brain of the universe. It is called by different names: collective unconscious, cosmic mind, Akashic Chronicles, etc. So, our first physical brain regulates the processes of mental activity, intellect, memory, consciousness, and the brain of the universe regulates and fills our Mind with information. Just imagine what a colossal experience this is of entire generations and civilizations, accumulated in this universal library. And all this knowledge is available to us if we learn how to obtain and use it correctly.

What is erudition and how to define it

An erudite person is usually considered to be someone who has extensive knowledge about the world. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines erudition as “broad, in-depth knowledge gained primarily from books.” The modern “Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language” gives a broader definition: deep knowledge in any field of science, technology, art, etc., as well as comprehensive education.

Is an educated person a polymath? Not always. The difference is that an erudite regularly fills in gaps in knowledge, while a simply educated person does not see the need for this and operates with the knowledge he once acquired. A polymath seeks to gain insight into specific topics through books and other sources of information.

The key property of erudition is the regularity of obtaining and expanding knowledge about the world. Cognitive abilities such as memory and information processing are important here. However, erudition does not include skills associated with deep processing of information and its transmission, namely critical comprehension and analysis. Intelligence is responsible for this.

So, the differences between intelligence and erudition:

intelligence - a person’s ability to effectively process information and apply it in life;
erudition is a person’s ability to perceive information and expand knowledge about the world (this is a product of memory).

Rational thinking

Life does not stand still, it is constantly changing, in order to keep up with the times, you need to be able to adapt to new conditions. A smart person will not invent something new if there is no reason for it. He is able to show flexibility of thinking and rationality, and find another, simpler and more optimal way to solve a problem.

You need to be able to look at a problem from different angles, look for more than one solution, but have several backup options. A highly intelligent person can be critical of his decisions and thoughts, and be able to admit his own imperfections and mistakes.

He does not consider himself superior or smarter than others; he is able to adequately assess his own knowledge. Self-improvement and a thirst for knowledge will help you make yourself better. A person with high intelligence never stops there; he always strives for improvement.

What factors influence mental abilities?

High intelligence is not always given by nature. Intelligence is influenced by many external factors.

Heredity and the structure of the brain affect a person’s thinking and intellectual arsenal. For example, the processing of information depends on how efficiently the frontal lobes work.

The child's intelligence is influenced by how the mother ate during pregnancy. If the mother ate properly and avoided bad habits, then with an increased probability she will give birth to an intelligent person.

If parents have the talent of education, then they will grow up an intellectually developed child. He will be interested in new knowledge, show interest, and study diligently.

Research shows that children who do not have siblings are more intellectually developed than children from large families. This is due to the fact that parents pay much more attention to one child and invest more in him than in several children.

If a child suffers from diseases such as Down syndrome or phenylketonuria, or has other developmental features, then the likelihood of intellectual retardation increases.

Age differences

The foundation of intelligence is laid between 5 and 7 years. Its full potential is revealed closer to the age of 20. But even after 20 years, intelligence can develop, but at a much slower pace.

A person’s mathematical abilities develop at the age of 30-35. If by this time he had not achieved significant success in mathematics, then now he is unlikely to achieve it.

Doctors and scientists in the natural sciences demonstrate their peak intelligence at 42-45 years of age.

Psychologists and philosophers reach their full potential closer to 50-55 years of age.

But there are also abilities that develop throughout life and can manifest themselves even in old age. These are artistic abilities that relate to different areas of art (dancing, painting, singing, acting).

Do intellectual abilities decline in older people?

Elderly people are susceptible to senile diseases that negatively affect the brain (sclerosis, dementia, senile dementia). But if you engage in your intellectual development, then you can maintain a lively and inquisitive mind until old age.

Gender differences

The intellectual differences between men and women have always been a subject of heated debate and discussion. Since ancient times, it was believed that women are less developed than men.

Laws and traditions did not allow women to engage in many activities, including intellectual ones. Because of this, the myth began that women are less developed in this regard than men. This practice also exists in countries where women are in a degraded position. Her intelligence is indeed lower, but the reason is banal - lack of opportunity to learn.

However, studies have shown that men's brains are no better than women's. Women are better able to understand some types of intellectual activity than men.

That is, differences in brain structure between men and women do not determine the degree of intelligence. Both a woman and a man can do the same job equally successfully.

Just because a man's brain weighs more does not make his intelligence sharper. Elevated hormone levels also have an ambiguous effect on intelligence; it can reduce or increase it.

Speaking abstractly, a man who has good intelligence is no different from a developed woman.

What do you think about the differences in intelligence between men and women? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Your opinion is important to me

I do not pretend that the written interpretation of such broad concepts as mind and reason in this article was perceived as the only correct one, since I understand that there are other points of view on this matter, that this topic affects deep understandings and can cause discussion and possible disagreement, and a completely different awareness of their meaning. It’s not like you can sort apples and pears, but everything is much more complicated. I encountered huge differences in the interpretation of the meaning of these words when I was preparing to write this article and re-read the interpretation of the terms in various dictionaries and reference books. My goal is to understand the true meaning of everything that surrounds and what is inside us. I am collecting pieces of it bit by bit for myself and for you. If the information in this article was useful to you and opened up a new understanding of important concepts and meanings, then I am absolutely happy. And yet, I would like to hear your opinion on this matter, which I will be happy to read in the reviews to this article.

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Recommendations for increasing the coefficient

5 practical tips for training your brain activity and increasing your IQ that you can use every day:

Challenge your brain, solve math problems, learn foreign languages, learn to play a musical instrument.
Talk to educated people. By having a conversation and understanding the way smart people think, you will benefit for yourself.
Play computer games that require strategy development and train your reactions.
Read books, it develops vocabulary and erudition.
Play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle.