A longitudinal study discussed in your textbook used MRI scans to study the development of the cerebral cortex as children aged. Which of the following is one of the findings from this study?
A) In the brightest children, the cerebral cortex is always thicker than it is in other children.
B) The cortex in very bright children develops more rapidly and for a longer time than it does in other children.
C) The cortex in average children reaches its maximum thickness several years later than it does in bright children.
D) In children with average IQs, the cortex reaches maximum thickness at age 11 or 12.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The study found that the cortex in very bright children develops more rapidly and for a longer time than it does in other children. This suggests that differences in cortical development may contribute to individual differences in intelligence. The study did not support option A, C, or D as the findings were focused on comparing the development of the cerebral cortex in bright vs. other children, rather than comparing thickening of the cortex based on IQ or age alone.

A Longitudinal Study Discussed in Your Textbook Used MRI Scans