Neurosci Biobehav Rev October 2015 PMID 26449760

Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean?

Jakob Pietschnig, Lars Penke, Jelte M Wicherts, Michael Zeiler, Martin Voracek

Mentions

102
Peak: 3 in Nov 2019
across 6 sources since Aug 2018

Extended reach

163,552
potential audience

Total likes

1,842

Video views

29,988

Mentions per month

Aug 2018 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News65 articles
  • X / Twitter21 posts
  • Blogs10 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, discussions demonstrate a scientific tone, with posts highlighting the importance of the correlation coefficient (around 0.24) and referencing large meta-analyses, such as the one by Pietschnig et al., to validate the findings. The language and tone reflect curiosity and recognition of the study's role in refining our understanding of brain size and intelligence relationships.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the meta-analysis confirming a modest but consistent link between brain volume and intelligence, supporting the publication's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show active interest, referencing multiple studies and emphasizing the correlation value, indicating engagement with the scientific content.

EngagementModerate engagement

Discussions involve citing specific research findings and methodological details, suggesting moderate but meaningful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts collectively recognize the significance of the meta-analysis in clarifying previous overestimations and encouraging further research, showing some impact on understanding scientific debates.

Abstract in brief

  • The study systematically reviewed 88 research papers involving around 8,000 individuals to analyze the link between brain size and intelligence, finding a generally positive correlation.
  • Although initial reports suggested strong links, the analysis shows that the actual correlation is modest and likely overestimated in past studies, suggesting publication bias.
  • The findings indicate that while brain volume and IQ are related, brain size should not be directly viewed as a definitive measure of human intelligence or cognitive ability.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Inquisitive Bird
@Scientific_Bird · X

4) In a later and larger meta-analysis of 148 samples and more than 8000 individuals, Pietschnig and colleagues (2015) estimate the correlation to be slightly smaller, but still highly significant, r = 0.24. https://t.co/2vvPsXBdID

Jul 26, 2019 · 38 likes · 3 shares · 25,352 followers View post →
Jean Reinfort
@JReinfort · X

C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0,24 au sein de populations données, cf la méta-analyse : "Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences" (Pietschnig et al., 2015).

Jul 27, 2022 · 13 likes · 1 share · 3,375 followers View post →
Je Réinforme
@JeReinforme · X

C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0.24 au sein de populations données, cf la dernière méta-analyse : "Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences" (Pietschnig et al., 2015).

Nov 27, 2019 · 8 likes · 1 share · 23,636 followers View post →
Jean Reinfort
@JReinfort · X

Voici l’une des dernières méta-analyses en date, qui donne la corrélation à 0.24 : Pietschnig et al. (2015). Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean?

Jan 31, 2023 · 8 likes · 3,375 followers View post →
JayMan
@JayMan471 · X

There is indeed a positive relationship between brain size and IQ (0.24) https://t.co/BN1faSZzrN https://t.co/ttZcDKcQaK

Mar 17, 2024 · 6 likes · 9,232 followers View post →
JayMan
@JayMan471 · X

@wil_da_beast630 There *is* a positive relationship between brain size and IQ. https://t.co/BN1faSZzrN

Mar 17, 2024 · 4 likes · 9,232 followers View post →

All mentions

IYIoon
@huninn1 · X

@RCKola5 @VoxCorvorum @OsamaBinnGuapo @Awk20000 @grok You are trolling there's no shot. Here's the largest meta study i could find https://t.co/rcZKNUQzpt thats 88 studies with r=0.24 https://t.co/VAn77wIzky here's 37 samples with r=0.33 https://t.co/V3Uf0BH6Tu here's a in-family study showing r=0.19, isolates the variable.

Oct 7, 2025 · 19 followers View post →
Gabriel Belmar
@elareadebroca.bsky.social · Bluesky

Fuentes: Jakob Pietschnig, Lars Penke, Jelte M. Wicherts, Michael Zeiler, Martin Voracek. Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean? Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2015.

Sep 27, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Je Réinforme
@JeReinforme · X

Source : https://t.co/WFS0WAKk9H

Nov 11, 2024 · 3 likes · 23,636 followers View post →
Responding After Blocking Is a Bitch Ass Move
@Casualverse · X

@misinthrope79 @AnthonyCumia 9/ https://t.co/2Kd8YtI40f https://t.co/LNw5svqsC1 I feel I've posted too much, good luck as I have 30+ pieces of research data and findings waiting after you go through these, I'll gladly summarize for you as well. (Take your time as the bell curve is, well, adorable trash).

Sep 29, 2024 · 3,858 followers View post →
JayMan
@JayMan471 · X

There is indeed a positive relationship between brain size and IQ (0.24) https://t.co/BN1faSZzrN https://t.co/ttZcDKcQaK

Mar 17, 2024 · 6 likes · 9,232 followers View post →
JayMan
@JayMan471 · X

@wil_da_beast630 There *is* a positive relationship between brain size and IQ. https://t.co/BN1faSZzrN

Mar 17, 2024 · 4 likes · 9,232 followers View post →
Shit My Psychic Says
@R_Sole1 · X

RT @Scientific_Bird: 4) In a later and larger meta-analysis of 148 samples and more than 8000 individuals, Pietschnig and colleagues (2015)…

Jan 2, 2024 · 3 shares · 2,237 followers View post →
Jean Reinfort
@JReinfort · X

Voici l’une des dernières méta-analyses en date, qui donne la corrélation à 0.24 : Pietschnig et al. (2015). Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean?

Jan 31, 2023 · 8 likes · 3,375 followers View post →
Antonius
@onthoofd · X

@gertwiep @CRASSGENDER @Joycezondernaam @VerhoevenKylian @Joop_nl Exact, die flauwekul waar een meta-analyse van 88 moderne onderzoeken (n=>8000) van is die een correlatie van 0,24 vindt tussen herseninhoud en IQ. Blijkbaar hadden de pioniers op dit gebied 150 jaar geleden toch gelijk. https://t.co/D7PbBdSV96 https://t.co/k7O1iBkZZe

Jan 14, 2023 · 601 followers View post →
Tom
@nachtfalter_05 · X

@PaoloShirasi SOURCE: https://t.co/r7Ic8bwhfR

Jan 4, 2023 · 180 followers View post →
Jiří Štipl
@JiriStiplCZ · X

@Martymuth @Radix69123161 Objem mozku s inteligencí trochu koreluje (r=0.24, https://t.co/1a56TirfLo), ale nezdá se, že by mezi pohlavími byl rozdíl v obecné inteligenci. Muži jsou např. trochu lepší ve vizuálně-prostorových úlohách (možná souvisí se řízením), ženy zase většinou např. v těch jazykových.

Nov 26, 2022 · 1,563 followers View post →
LibKey
@libkey_io · X

@thebirdmaniac @ElonBachman @MrGeorgeFrancis Access the paywalled article from your library: https://t.co/lkLJiVrToL Promote scholarly access to content by simply adding https://t.co/SXSePSX5De to the DOI URL

Sep 5, 2022 · 556 followers View post →
Gordyon
@Gordyon3 · X

RT @JReinfort: C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0,24 au sein de populations données…

Jul 27, 2022 · 1 share · 104 followers View post →
Jean Reinfort
@JReinfort · X

C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0,24 au sein de populations données, cf la méta-analyse : "Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences" (Pietschnig et al., 2015).

Jul 27, 2022 · 13 likes · 1 share · 3,375 followers View post →
TGGP
@TeaGeeGeePea · X

@SecretBaboon @gcochran99 @vious_and_couth @SilverVVulpes @AlexTISYoung I referred to brain volume not "structure" or "activity". This meta-analysis found the correlation was exaggerated by publication bias but still robust: https://t.co/GZXwB13TzC

Jun 29, 2022 · 292 followers View post →
FéeDragon
@FeeWalkyrie · X

RT @JeReinforme: C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0.24 au sein de populations donné…

Nov 27, 2019 · 1 share · 394 followers View post →
Je Réinforme
@JeReinforme · X

C'est un fait que le volume crânien (ou plutôt cérébral) est corrélé au QI, à hauteur de 0.24 au sein de populations données, cf la dernière méta-analyse : "Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences" (Pietschnig et al., 2015).

Nov 27, 2019 · 8 likes · 1 share · 23,636 followers View post →
Je Réinforme
@JeReinforme · X

Voici la dernière méta-analyse en date, qui donne la corrélation à 0.24 : Pietschnig et al. (2015). Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean?https://t.co/WFS0WAKk9H

Nov 3, 2019 · 1 like · 23,636 followers View post →
Weird'e Go?
@_Freelander · X

RT @Scientific_Bird: 4) In a later and larger meta-analysis of 148 samples and more than 8000 individuals, Pietschnig and colleagues (2015)…

Jul 27, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,507 followers View post →
Inquisitive Bird
@Scientific_Bird · X

4) In a later and larger meta-analysis of 148 samples and more than 8000 individuals, Pietschnig and colleagues (2015) estimate the correlation to be slightly smaller, but still highly significant, r = 0.24. https://t.co/2vvPsXBdID

Jul 26, 2019 · 38 likes · 3 shares · 25,352 followers View post →
Լσrєиα Ɓαℓdєrαѕ
@lorenabalderasS · X

Meta-analysis of associations between human brain volume and intelligence differences: How strong are they and what do they mean? https://t.co/Sj3hD3WYI1

Mar 29, 2019 · 207 followers View post →
فرزین
@havisht_ · X

@DrPooriaHesabi @Haurvatat_88 @N6PMHXWK @Big_Bangpage مغز بزرگتر به معنای داشتن ضریب هوشی(IQ) بالاتر نیست. در انسان نشانه‌هایی وجود دارد که نشان می‌دهد ارتباط بین ضریب هوشی و حجم مغز چندان قابل قبول نیست. تفاوتی ازلحاظ عملکرد تست جهانی ضریب هوشی بین زنان و مردان وجود ندارد https://t.co/TC4qFEhmLw https://t.co/oddjjyGga9

Feb 14, 2019 · 544 followers View post →