Intelligence and cognition are are NOT on a linear scale from stupid to genius. The continuum is multi-dimensional and we must acknowledge that as we evaluate the capabilities of all species including humans. Humans have evolved some unique capabilities in terms of communication and manual dexterity, but other species have their own capabilities that are neither better or worse, just different.
We have a couple of hens out in our yard, and it doesn't take much observation time to realize that they are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for. Similarly, just because a person may be autistic or dyslexic and they may have difficulty doing well on a test, but they may have capabilities that far exceed the average in certain areas. Not better or worse just different.
Standard tests are fine for evaluating the skills needed for a specific task, but they should never be the sole criteria for any decision.
The Brains of the Animal Kingdom
New research shows that we have grossly underestimated both the scope and the scale of animal intelligence. Primatologist Frans de Waal on memory-champ chimps, tool-using elephants and rats capable of…
Post imported by Google+Blog for WordPress.
I often think about this when I've had a particularly difficult bout of dealing with human stupidity. I just feel like there's no way the average human being can be so much more advanced than other denizens of the animal kingdom as has been traditionally claimed.