Retiring "Intelligence" from the neuropsychology of Epilepsy: Epilepsy & Behavior editorial policy statement and...

Epilepsy & Behavior is introducing an editorial policy encouraging authors to move away from the use of the term "intelligence" in neuropsychological discussions of epilepsy. This recommendation is informed by the historical association of intelligence testing with eugenicist practices directed toward people with epilepsy, as well as by advances in contemporary cognitive science demonstrating that cognition is multidimensional and domain specific and that no universally accepted scientific definition of intelligence exists. Modern frameworks provide more clinically useful characterization of memory, language, executive functioning, attention, and processing speed than global IQ constructs. In clinical settings, domain specific language may also reduce unintended stigma by emphasizing measurable cognitive performance rather than fixed biological attributes. Building on prior calls within neuropsychology to retire IQ terminology and paralleling successful terminology reforms in epilepsy internationally, Epilepsy & Behavior calls for the use of more precise terminology, including cognitive composites, domain specific cognitive descriptors, and other empirically defined measures of cognitive performance rather than labels implying a unitary construct of intelligence.