Environment and intelligence

Environment and intelligence are two closely related aspects of human well-being. The impact of environment on intelligence is one of the most important factors in understanding human group differences in IQ test scores and other measures of cognitive ability.

Training
Training at an early age reduces synaptic pruning, which helps save neurons.

Musical
Early musical training in children are said to improve IQ. However, a study claimed that musical training improves verbal, but not spatial IQ. Significant differences in brain structure between musicians and non-musicians have been found.

Studies have shown that listening to Mozart before taking an IQ test will improve scores. This is called the Mozart Effect. The Mozart Effect improves spatial-temporal reasoning.

Chess
Studies have shown that Chess requires auditory-verbal-sequential skills, not visuospatial skills. A German study found that Garry Kasparov has an IQ of 135 and an extremely good memory. One study found that students who were taking a chess class improved mathematical and comprehension performance.