INTERMEDIATE Intelligence Lesson Plan (ESL): Warm-up (Pair Work)

1)  Were you a bright student in your school days? What kind of student were you?

2)  What are some of the greatest achievements and inventions of mankind? Make a list with your classmates.

3)  In what ways, if any, are you superior to a caveman?

Study: Human Beings Getting Dumber

Given the technological advances we have witnessed in our lifetimes, it seems ridiculous to argue that humans are getting dumber. This is, however, what Stanford University researcher Gerald Crabtree has suggested. In two recently published articles, he writes:

"I would be willing to wager that if an average citizen of Athens of 1000 BC were to appear suddenly among us, he or she would be among the brightest and most intellectually alive of our colleagues and companions (…) We would be surprised by our time-visitor's memory, broad range of ideas and clear-sighted view of important issues. I would also guess that he or she would be among the most emotionally stable of our friends and colleagues."

Crabtree’s thesis is based on the idea that our genes must be functioning at full capacity to optimize intellectual and emotional behavior. He contends that our intelligence may have peaked before our hunter-gatherer ancestors left Africa. At that time, due to selective pressures, humans evolved to have genes that maximized brainpower. Since then, selective pressures have decreased. This has made it possible for several 'genetic mutations’ that hinder our intellectual and emotional capabilities to survive.

Despite these "two or more" harmful mutations of the past 3,000 years, Crabtree believes that technology will allow humans to compensate for these mutations in the future. "We have a long time to solve it. People 300 years ago had no idea where we'd be scientifically now," he says. "We'll be able to deal with this problem with a range of humane and ethical solutions."

Critics say there is insufficient data to support Crabtree's thesis. Others, such as psychology professor Eyal Reingold, argue that the modern-day threats to intelligence are not genetic but environment-based. These threats, rooted in our upbringing and socialization, are the cause of school bullying and children bringing guns to school, according to Reingold.

[Sources: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2012/11/stanford-university-researcher-says.html, http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/15/research-suggests-humans-are-evolving-to-be-dumber/ ]

Intelligence Lesson Plan (ESL): Comprehension & Follow-Up Questions

1)  According to Crabtree, how would an Athenian from 1000 BC differ from a modern man?

2)  What does Crabtree believe has caused this decline in intelligence?

3)  True or False: Crabtree believes the decline will continue indefinitely.

4)  Cite two criticisms of Crabtree’s thesis.

Match the words with their meaning as used in the article.

1.  given (sth), …
2.  wager (verb)
3.  optimize (verb)
4.  contend (verb)
5.  peak (verb)
6.  ancestor
7.  mutation
8.  hinder (verb)
9.  compensate for sth
10.  humane
11.  rooted in sth / a.  bet
b.  developed by sth or strongly influenced by it
c.  a change in genetic material
d.  say sth is true, especially in an argument
e.  showing kindness by ensuring people/animals don’t suffer unnecessarily
f.  taking into account a fact, factor, etc,; considering
g.  make sth as good as it can be
h.  a person in your family who lived before you
i.  provide sth good to balance or reduce the bad effects of damage
j.  reach the highest point
k.  prevent sb from easily doing/achieving sth

Master the language: Connect the below ideas to make a sentence. (good for homework)

government / crush / uprising / e.g. The government plans to crush the uprising.
given / population
wager / ancestors
optimize / performance
scientist / contend
peak / civilization
mutation / hinder
compensate / stupidity
technology / humane
problems / rooted

Intelligence Lesson Plan (ESL): Debate

Student A: / Take 1-2 minutes to build an argument that supports Crabtree's thesis. Think of examples, etc. When ready, present your ideas first.
Student B: / Take 1-2 minutes to build a counterargument against Crabtree's thesis. Think of examples, etc. The other student will go first.

Intelligence Lesson Plan (ESL): Discuss the Following Quotations (Pair Work)

“Today the theory of evolution is about as much open to doubt as the theory that the earth goes round the sun.” - Richard Dawkins

“Stupidity combined with arrogance and a huge ego will get you a long way.” - Chris Lowe

“In the literal sense, there has been no relevant evolution since the trek from Africa. But there has been substantial progress towards higher standards of rights, justice and freedom - along with all too many illustrations of how remote is the goal of a decent society.” - Noam Chomsky

“Since when has the world of computer software design been about what people want? This is a simple question of evolution. The day is quickly coming when every knee will bow down to a silicon fist, and you will all beg your binary gods for mercy.” – Bill Gates

Intelligence Lesson Plan (ESL): Discussion Questions

1)  Nature vs. Nurture: Is intelligence rooted in genetics?

2)  Would you rather be an African hunter-gatherer, an Athenian from 1000 BC, or yourself today?

3)  Technology: Crabtree suggests that technology can compensate for genetic mutations in the future. How could this work?

4)  Are girls smarter than boys?

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Intelligence Lesson Plan copyright Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com

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