Oct 6, 2024·General IQ & IntelligenceResources to Learn About IQ and Intelligence
Discover top books on IQ and intelligence, from beginner-friendly intros by Deary and Ritchie to advanced texts like Haier’s neuroscience and Jensen’s g factor.
Dr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist

If you want to learn about intelligence and IQ, you have come to the right place. The topic has been investigated by scientists for over a century, and there’s a lot to learn! In fact, there is so much that it can be bewildering to know where to start. Here are our recommendations.
Introductory books
Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction by Ian Deary
Ian Deary is a living legend in the world of intelligence research. Because of his contributions to science, the British government made him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Most of that work is related to the study of intelligence and aging. Deary’s book, Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction lives up to its title. It is a pocket-sized book that can be read in one evening. Readers get a quick overview of intelligence that is hard to beat. (Make sure to purchase the 2nd edition, which is the current version.)
Intelligence: All That Matters by Stuart Ritchie
A former student of Deary’s, Stuart Ritchie is now a professional science communicator -- and it shows in his book. Intelligence: All That Matters is very accessible and also very short. Ritchie is an excellent guide through the world of intelligence, explaining what scientists know (and don’t know!) about this fascinating field.
Intermediate Books
In the Know: Debunking 35 Myths About Human Intelligence by Russell T. Warne
Written by Russell T. Warne (the Chief Scientist for the RIOT), In the Know: Debunking 35 Myths About Human Intelligence takes readers a step further than Deary’s and Ritchie’s books. After a brief introduction to provide background, Warne takes his reader on a tour of knowledge about intelligence and IQ by demolishing 35 common--but incorrect--beliefs about intelligence. Each belief gets its own chapter that can be read easily in one sitting. No prior knowledge is needed to understand the book, and it is written with the non-expert in mind.
Advanced Books
The Neuroscience of Intelligence by Richard J. Haier
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AuthorDr. Russell T. WarneChief Scientist