• Question: is it true the bigger head you have the bigger brain you have

    Asked by wilkycfc to Carolyn on 24 Mar 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Carolyn McGettigan

      Carolyn McGettigan answered on 24 Mar 2010:

      I think there is probably a trend in that direction, yes. The brain will grow to fit inside your skull. I know from my experience scanning brains that men tend to have much bigger heads, and brains, than women. However, across people it is *not* the case that people with bigger brains are more intelligent. Intelligence is probably more to do with how the brain is wired up, anatomically and in the way it activates. Unlucky for me – I have a giant head on this small body but my average-headed officemate is definitely smarter than me ; )

Comments

  • Photo: Joe

    Joe commented on :

    Carolyn is right — there is a very strong correlation between body and brain size but this has nothing to do with intelligence. It’s just a consequence of bigger bodies mean bigger heads and that means more room for the brain. If you want smarter, it’s not down to how much brain you have but how you use it.

  • modshamini commented on :

    But in animals aren’t those with tiny brains are less intelligent, while humans have quite big brains? Is this true for all animals?