The relationship between multisensory integration and IQ in children
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Date
2010-12-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Psychological Association
Abstract
It is well accepted that multisensory integration has a facilitative effect on perceptual
and motor processes, evolutionarily enhancing the chance of survival of many
species, including humans. Yet, there is a limited understanding of the relationship
between multisensory processes, environmental noise and children’s cognitive
abilities. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between multisensory
integration, auditory background noise and the general intellectual abilities of school
age children (N = 88, M age = 9 years, 7 months) using a simple audiovisual detection
paradigm. We provide evidence that children with enhanced multisensory integration
in quiet and noisy conditions are likely to score above average on the full-scale
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). Conversely, ~ 45% of tested
children, with relatively low verbal and non-verbal intellectual abilities, showed
reduced multisensory integration in either quiet or noise. Interestingly, ~ 20% of
children showed improved multisensory integration abilities in the presence of
auditory background noise. The findings of the present study suggest that stable and
consistent multisensory integration in quiet and noisy environments is associated with
the development of optimal general intellectual abilities. Further theoretical
implications are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Auditory, Visual, Motor Reaction Times, Cognition, Intelligence
Citation
Barutchu, A., Crewther, S. G., Fifer, J., Shivdasani, M. N., Innes-Brown, H., Toohey, S., . . . Paolini, A. (2011). The relationship between multisensory integration and IQ in children. Developmental Psychology, 47(3), 877-885.