Child Dev December 2015 PMID 25056688

Does learning to read improve intelligence? A longitudinal multivariate analysis in identical twins from age 7 to 16.

Stuart J Ritchie, Timothy C Bates, Robert Plomin

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Mentions

192
Peak: 19 in Nov 2019
across 6 sources since Dec 2017

Extended reach

2,391,313
potential audience

Total likes

45,574

Video views

2,263,083

Mentions per month

Dec 2017 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions emphasize the evidence from twin studies and multiple research articles supporting the idea that early reading can enhance intelligence, with phrases like 'reading increases IQ' and 'early remediation helps cognitive growth.' The tone varies from supportive and scientific to slightly humorous, but overall, the tone demonstrates active engagement with the research's significance and implications for cognitive development.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that learning to read has a positive effect on intelligence, supported by references to twin studies and multiple research articles. Several posts explicitly state that reading increases IQ or cognitive abilities.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show a high level of curiosity, with posts mentioning various studies, effects on non-verbal IQ, and implications for cognitive development, indicating strong interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many contributions delve into methodological aspects, cite empirical evidence, and debate the significance of environmental factors, revealing deep engagement with the research findings.

ImpactModerate impact

Participants perceive the publication as having meaningful implications for understanding intelligence and education, suggesting the article could influence perceptions or practices around reading and cognitive development.

Abstract in brief

  • This study investigates whether learning to read influences intelligence development by analyzing identical twins from age 7 to 16, finding that early differences in reading ability are linked to later intelligence differences independently of reading exposure.
  • The results suggest that environmental factors specific to each twin (nonshared environment) may have a significant impact on both reading skills and overall intellectual growth, beyond just verbal skills.
  • This raises questions about the mechanisms behind how learning to read might drive intelligence improvements, emphasizing the complex role of environmental influences in cognitive development.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mehmet E Korkmaz
@MehmetE_Krkmz · X

Kitaplar beyniniz için iyidir #okumak İkiz çalışması: erken okuma zekayı geliştiriyor https://t.co/rmupRWkm0D MR'da Jane Austen okuması, beyin aktivitesini görün https://t.co/OOA6GsPy0a Okuma bunamayı azaltıyor https://t.co/4VE2vFgVq0 https://t.co/AGc1YBM1BB

Jan 10, 2019 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 2,407 followers View post →
Vu
@f__vu__ · X

Kids who started reading at an earlier age went on to perform better on certain intelligence tests, such as analyses of their vocabulary size. https://t.co/2ElZyCXuLy

Sep 25, 2021 · 8 likes · 2 shares · 5,729 followers View post →
Mil Kio
@KiolMil3050 · X

تعليم الناس القراءة والكتابة وتحسين مهاراتهم المعرفية عبر البيئة يمكن أن يزيد من الذكاء العام (g) وأيضًا الذكاء غير اللفظي محو الأمية يرفع معدل الذكاء يجعلك تشكك أكثر بنسبة الوراثة العالية لمعدل الذكاء https://t.co/RyZfxN4drZ

Sep 29, 2025 · 7 likes · 1 share · 598 followers View post →
Sasha Gusev
@SashaGusevPosts · X

@krichard1212 @GobbleGoob95380 @Allodoxaa @tracewoodgrains @MengHu13 Ironically, environmental influences on reading ability are correlated with subsequent gains in the general factor of IQ and in non-verbal IQ (Ritchie 2015): https://t.co/e523ev73Ax

Aug 15, 2025 · 6 likes · 19,925 followers View post →
Lucia Flores Bayro
@LuciaFBayro · X

@Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 20 shares · 26 followers View post →
Mark Anderson
@mandercorn · X

"Early remediation of reading problems might not only aid in the growth of literacy, but may also improve more general cognitive abilities that are of critical importance across the life span." https://t.co/ReUQe7CoDS

May 15, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 5,157 followers View post →

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Mil Kio
@KiolMil3050 · X

RT @KiolMil3050: تعليم الناس القراءة والكتابة وتحسين مهاراتهم المعرفية عبر البيئة يمكن أن يزيد من الذكاء العام (g) وأيضًا الذكاء غير اللفظي…

Sep 29, 2025 · 1 share · 598 followers View post →
Mil Kio
@KiolMil3050 · X

تعليم الناس القراءة والكتابة وتحسين مهاراتهم المعرفية عبر البيئة يمكن أن يزيد من الذكاء العام (g) وأيضًا الذكاء غير اللفظي محو الأمية يرفع معدل الذكاء يجعلك تشكك أكثر بنسبة الوراثة العالية لمعدل الذكاء https://t.co/RyZfxN4drZ

Sep 29, 2025 · 7 likes · 1 share · 598 followers View post →
Sasha Gusev
@SashaGusevPosts · X

@krichard1212 @GobbleGoob95380 @Allodoxaa @tracewoodgrains @MengHu13 Ironically, environmental influences on reading ability are correlated with subsequent gains in the general factor of IQ and in non-verbal IQ (Ritchie 2015): https://t.co/e523ev73Ax

Aug 15, 2025 · 6 likes · 19,925 followers View post →
Melman
@jewc41 · X

@JxanBeck_ @e83ksjwi0w @HippolyteHaine @porqueTTarg Pero nadie habló del pibe. Es crear un enemigo imaginario al pedo eso. Romper los huevos con que la mina lee o el pibe juega a la play es una boludez. Está perfecto leer https://t.co/8gmELhyWbS

May 16, 2025 · 45 followers View post →
Sherihan Elgendy
@ShoraElgendy · X

Does Learning to Read Improve Intelligence? A Longitudinal Multivariate Analysis in Identical Twins From Age 7 to 16 - PMC

Dec 24, 2024 · 1 like · 18 followers View post →
Kawal deep
@AsKawal · X

@pathaksudh @KamathGurudutt https://t.co/bUnDDzocf3

Oct 19, 2023 · 2 likes · 273 followers View post →
vers_laLune
@vers_laLune · X

@telmudic @fun_vampire0 @eshear @prerationalist @eigenrobot bro they have a twin study right here and even with "limitations" there's still enough evidence to corroborate the fact https://t.co/cXsmqMvHgx

May 24, 2023 · 3 likes · 25,291 followers View post →
vers_laLune
@vers_laLune · X

@telmudic @fun_vampire0 @eshear @prerationalist @eigenrobot ?? they literally have done tons of studies on this https://t.co/cXsmqMvHgx

May 24, 2023 · 25,291 followers View post →
Mr P
@tradewithmrp · X

Länk till studien https://t.co/EmWClW34AF

May 17, 2023 · 1 like · 13,674 followers View post →
Tyrone Williams
@ImmuneHack · X

@MatsVinnaren This is not true. There are many studies showing that environmental factors like reading can significantly increase IQ. https://t.co/wedyespapv

Mar 16, 2023 · 1 like · 9,143 followers View post →
Tyrone Williams
@ImmuneHack · X

@craftyc0der There's good evidence from twin studies that reading increases IQ. I think that if one twin was fed junk food, while the other was fed a Mediterranean diet as kids, one is going to be fatter & dumber than the other & it won't be the one eating the MD https://t.co/wedyespapv

Mar 16, 2023 · 1 like · 9,143 followers View post →
Rodrigorat
@rodrigoCarop · X

@Hurona_Rolera De hecho, leer es el hábito por excelencia para el desarrollo intelectual en múltiples aspectos. Dicho toscamente "leer te hace más inteligente". Pero no me creas, te comparto algunos artículos sobre el tema: https://t.co/3RdUjN9AJe https://t.co/s4ZRqbZy2M

Jun 26, 2022 · 104 followers View post →
Karlene Turner
@Ms_TurnerNY · X

RT @mandercorn: "Early remediation of reading problems might not only aid in the growth of literacy, but may also improve more general cogn…

May 19, 2022 · 2 shares · 30 followers View post →
Andrew Fletcher
@AFletcherDOE · X

RT @mandercorn: "Early remediation of reading problems might not only aid in the growth of literacy, but may also improve more general cogn…

May 15, 2022 · 2 shares · 1,296 followers View post →
Mark Anderson
@mandercorn · X

"Early remediation of reading problems might not only aid in the growth of literacy, but may also improve more general cognitive abilities that are of critical importance across the life span." https://t.co/ReUQe7CoDS

May 15, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 5,157 followers View post →
Waula Merveille Joseph M.
@MerveilleWaula · X

RT @f__vuvu: Kids who started reading at an earlier age went on to perform better on certain intelligence tests, such as analyses of their…

Sep 26, 2021 · 2 shares · 3,287 followers View post →
Mosongo Moukwa
@moukwa · X

RT @f__vuvu: Kids who started reading at an earlier age went on to perform better on certain intelligence tests, such as analyses of their…

Sep 25, 2021 · 2 shares · 1,618 followers View post →
Vu
@f__vu__ · X

Kids who started reading at an earlier age went on to perform better on certain intelligence tests, such as analyses of their vocabulary size. https://t.co/2ElZyCXuLy

Sep 25, 2021 · 8 likes · 2 shares · 5,729 followers View post →
María del Rosario Bayro
@DelBayro · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares View post →
Wilman Pacheco
@W_R_P3 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 6 followers View post →
Valeria Moran
@Valeria49986527 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 2 followers View post →
A
@VanGoghDogs · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 4 followers View post →
DIEGO ZUÑIGA
@goedi1260 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 63 followers View post →
Joceedc
@joceedc · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 4 followers View post →
William Flores
@William86597959 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 17, 2019 · 20 shares · 1 followers View post →
Daniela Guevara
@daniguevaraa11 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 16, 2019 · 20 shares · 43 followers View post →
Rodrigo Ochoa
@Rodrigo04072000 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 16, 2019 · 20 shares · 262 followers View post →
Diego Miranda
@DiegoMi34213510 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 16, 2019 · 20 shares · 1 followers View post →
Lucia Flores Bayro
@LuciaFBayro · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 16, 2019 · 20 shares · 26 followers View post →
Mariajose
@majomatos00 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 16, 2019 · 20 shares View post →
Ariana
@ArianaReyesGonz · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 15, 2019 · 20 shares · 3 followers View post →
Ariana Delgado
@ADelgadoT9 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 15, 2019 · 20 shares · 6 followers View post →
Nayara3003
@nayara3003 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 15, 2019 · 20 shares · 2 followers View post →
salva
@matiaslaura16 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 15, 2019 · 20 shares · 76 followers View post →
Diego Corimaita Mira
@DiegoCorimaita · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 14, 2019 · 20 shares · 22 followers View post →
Bruno Gallardo
@Brrr01 · X

RT @LuciaFBayro: @Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 14, 2019 · 20 shares · 136 followers View post →
Lucia Flores Bayro
@LuciaFBayro · X

@Sara_Kerrijan @Dr_Alfonso_HH este factor influye, positivamente, en el nivel de comprensión

Nov 14, 2019 · 6 likes · 20 shares · 26 followers View post →
Dr. Gökhan Atmaca
@kuarkatmaca · X

-> bilime göre, kitap okumak sağlıklı bir beyin için gereklidir. bununla ilgili olarak ikiz çocukları göz önüne alan "Okumayı Öğrenmek Zekayı Geliştirir mi?" başlıklı California Üniversitesi'nden araştırmacıların çalışması okunabilir https://t.co/fP28uvRTaZ https://t.co/mlV7wSqfJY

Jan 16, 2019 · 2,324 followers View post →
mlhmkrkmz
@mlhmkrkmz · X

RT @MehmetE_Krkmz: Kitaplar beyniniz için iyidir #okumak İkiz çalışması: erken okuma zekayı geliştiriyor https://t.co/rmupRWkm0D MR'da Ja…

Jan 10, 2019 · 3 shares · 732 followers View post →
yüksel korkmaz
@ykselkorkmaz3 · X

RT @MehmetE_Krkmz: Kitaplar beyniniz için iyidir #okumak İkiz çalışması: erken okuma zekayı geliştiriyor https://t.co/rmupRWkm0D MR'da Ja…

Jan 10, 2019 · 3 shares · 41 followers View post →
miraataol
@miraataollll · X

RT @MehmetE_Krkmz: Kitaplar beyniniz için iyidir #okumak İkiz çalışması: erken okuma zekayı geliştiriyor https://t.co/rmupRWkm0D MR'da Ja…

Jan 10, 2019 · 3 shares · 16 followers View post →
Mehmet E Korkmaz
@MehmetE_Krkmz · X

Kitaplar beyniniz için iyidir #okumak İkiz çalışması: erken okuma zekayı geliştiriyor https://t.co/rmupRWkm0D MR'da Jane Austen okuması, beyin aktivitesini görün https://t.co/OOA6GsPy0a Okuma bunamayı azaltıyor https://t.co/4VE2vFgVq0 https://t.co/AGc1YBM1BB

Jan 10, 2019 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 2,407 followers View post →