<![CDATA[Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter]]>Children who hang out with like-minded academic achievers are smarter as it boosts their brainpower, a new study claims.

Parents need to understand their children's friends have more of an impact on their attitude to study than they think, child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said.

\"You are who you hang out with. If you have an average kid and they associate with others who love learning and going to school, that will definitely become contagious,\" the Daily Telegraph quoted Carr-Gregg as saying.
\"Conversely, if you hang out with kids who don't value school, are disinterested and disrespectful, then you are going to have a difficult time encouraging that child to study and to be interested or be clever,\" said Carr-Gregg.

Carr-Gregg said academic children would even go to the extreme of pretending to be dumb in order to fit in with their friends.
\"They will dumb themselves down to be accepted. It's not just a case of smart kids attract smart kids - if you have an average kid, they can be dragged down, or become smarter, depending on who they hang out with,\" he said.
Researchers gave 16- and 17-year-old students a list of participants and asked them to mark each as a friend, best friend, acquaintance or stranger.
The study compared the pupils' marks over the preceding 12 months with their social network and drew a strong link between friendship and the rise and fall of their academic performance.

It showed an acquaintance's success or failure had less impact than a friend's, however friends were more influential than those listed as best friends.
Although parents may be able to vet their children's friends when they were younger, the chances of successfully socially engineering their social groups became harder as they grew up, Carr-Gregg said.

According to child psychologist Dr Andrew Greenfield, the trend applied more to gifted kids getting caught up with under-performing children.

The study was published in PLOS ONE journal.

Full Article at http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hanging-out-with-intelligent-friends-makes-kids-smarter-113022400168_1.html

How do you influence the social circle of your child?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/51876/hanging-out-with-intelligent-friends-makes-children-smarterRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 20:43:38 GMTWed, 27 Feb 2013 01:53:40 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:52:34 GMT]]>Thinking back, maybe I don’t have much intelligent friends. To be fair, my friends probably think the same. LOL

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981250https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981250Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:52:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:56:51 GMT]]>

BeContented:
Oppsgal:

:rotflmao: Maybe we see the report card of friends before allow to play together?


Sounds workable. Just like some enrichment centers with entry test....... 😉

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
Need to differentiate between GEP, High Ability and mainstreamers or not?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969997https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969997Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:56:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:36:11 GMT]]>

Oppsgal:
:rotflmao: Maybe we see the report card of friends before allow to play together?

Sounds workable. Just like some enrichment centers with entry test....... 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969933https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969933Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:36:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:23:58 GMT]]>:rotflmao: Maybe we see the report card of friends before allow to play together?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969800https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969800Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:23:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:05:31 GMT]]>

Imami:
Joule:


but being 'older' does not make you automatically 'mature'
:shock:

what's your point?

just being random

I reflected that some people are so old already (nnot you la) but also have this kind of wrong thinking - ie overseas uni is better and because of that....blah blah blah

anyway its quite obvious that he is trying to irritate you all when you all answer him already in the thread

I am not so sure about him being a teenager though....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969315https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969315Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:05:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:00:22 GMT]]>

Joule:

but being 'older' does not make you automatically 'mature'
:shock:
what's your point?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969310https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969310Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:00:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:55:13 GMT]]>So, who am I hanging out with now? Girls, boys, ladies/men? :?

Teenagers do not have license to drive, whether it is sonata or Benz.
Very confusing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969308https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969308Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:55:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:48:57 GMT]]>

Imami:
ngl2010:


I also got an impression that Sinoboy is a boy, not an adult.

Maybe u r right. It's a boy. my nephew is 16 this year but I think he is far more mature.

but being 'older' does not make you automatically 'mature'

:shock:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969301https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969301Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:48:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:40:50 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Imami:

I have never been to overseas for study. But I don't think I am ever penalize/ short changed becos of this. In fact, I don't see how those colleagues who graduated from overseas have an advantage in terms of promotion.


When I am promoted, it was because I was truly deserving, or so I was told by bosses, peer and subordinates. When I was bypassed for promotion, I could see how/why another colleague was more deserving (and no, never was it becos he/she was an overseas grad).

I can report from the other side - I did go to a prestigious overseas university and got a good degree. But I didn't have the competitiveness or ability to really succeed and my HR dept in fact told me to my face that that was the feedback they got from various supervisors. I opted for a lower-paying, less 'desirable' job (which I enjoyed, actually) in that stat board and eventually quit to become a SAHM. During my 9 yrs of working life, many who joined at the same time were promoted ahead of me, including many local grads, some of whom are now in extremely senior positions. And yes, they certainly do those jobs much better than I ever could have.

Actually, I find the government sectors are quite fair when it comes to the treatment of employees’ career advancement. But it’ll help tremendously if you’re under a boss that can “fight” for you during promotion and ranking exercise. Some people may feel unfair because certain “inexperienced” people got promoted and seemed to go up the scale fast. My personal view is that there are pros and cons to the way of how it is being set up and done.

For private sectors, it really depends on which industry you’re in, local or MNCs, the size and how established the company is. I’ve seen people, especially ladies, went up the corporate ladder via dubious means. Oh! Don’t get me wrong. Of course there are also ladies who got promoted via their own capabilities.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969095https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969095Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:40:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:29:33 GMT]]>

ngl2010:

I also got an impression that Sinoboy is a boy, not an adult.
Maybe u r right. It's a boy. my nephew is 16 this year but I think he is far more mature.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969092https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969092Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:29:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:12:17 GMT]]>

Imami:
sinoboy:


Lexus is a quiet car what. Our MM bought one of the first few LS400 by the way. But with the current 50% downpayment and much of it goes to financing the COE, I'll continue to drive my merc.  😄

sinoboy:
Drive a merc only what's the big deal? Just because i aspire to study overseas means i cannot own a nice car?  😂 Btw Mercedes Toyota and BMW are the top 3 most common cars in singapore. I don't like BMW for the wrong image and high maintenance cost and engine may not be as reliable as it looks. Audi VW being same company suffer from gearbox issues. Lexus has recalls but still quieter than the German makes. Porsche, maserati and jaguar image is not suitable for me either. Ferrari and lambo are for red light beaters. Well if it makes you feel better I am driving a Hyundai sonata lor or take bus ok.   🦆
You claim to drive a merc earlier. Now u drive a sonata.... Whatever. And no, I don't feel any different becos of what u drive. Why do I feel like this is a teenager? :slapshead:

Read carefully. Your 无明 makes you angry and jealous for some reason and that is why I feel like i should pacify you by saying I drive a sonata lor. All the best. :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969085https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969085Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:12:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:10:44 GMT]]>

Imami:
sinoboy:


Lexus is a quiet car what. Our MM bought one of the first few LS400 by the way. But with the current 50% downpayment and much of it goes to financing the COE, I'll continue to drive my merc.  😄

sinoboy:
Drive a merc only what's the big deal? Just because i aspire to study overseas means i cannot own a nice car?  😂 Btw Mercedes Toyota and BMW are the top 3 most common cars in singapore. I don't like BMW for the wrong image and high maintenance cost and engine may not be as reliable as it looks. Audi VW being same company suffer from gearbox issues. Lexus has recalls but still quieter than the German makes. Porsche, maserati and jaguar image is not suitable for me either. Ferrari and lambo are for red light beaters. Well if it makes you feel better I am driving a Hyundai sonata lor or take bus ok.   🦆
You claim to drive a merc earlier. Now u drive a sonata.... Whatever. And no, I don't feel any different becos of what u drive. Why do I feel like this is a teenager? :slapshead:

I also got an impression that Sinoboy is a boy, not an adult.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969084https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969084Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:10:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:54:30 GMT]]>

sinoboy:

Lexus is a quiet car what. Our MM bought one of the first few LS400 by the way. But with the current 50% downpayment and much of it goes to financing the COE, I'll continue to drive my merc.  😄
sinoboy:
Drive a merc only what's the big deal? Just because i aspire to study overseas means i cannot own a nice car?  😂 Btw Mercedes Toyota and BMW are the top 3 most common cars in singapore. I don't like BMW for the wrong image and high maintenance cost and engine may not be as reliable as it looks. Audi VW being same company suffer from gearbox issues. Lexus has recalls but still quieter than the German makes. Porsche, maserati and jaguar image is not suitable for me either. Ferrari and lambo are for red light beaters. Well if it makes you feel better I am driving a Hyundai sonata lor or take bus ok.   🦆
You claim to drive a merc earlier. Now u drive a sonata.... Whatever. And no, I don't feel any different becos of what u drive. Why do I feel like this is a teenager? :slapshead:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969074https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969074Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:54:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:37:51 GMT]]>

Imami:
janet_lee88:

[quote=\"Imami\"]
:slapshead: :slapshead: addiooo..... lexus nia.

Off topic...I also yearn for Lexus...but cannot afford the petrol and maintenance.

Janet, u don't drive (often) so maybe u don't get my point. But really, to me Lexus is just toyota with a different logo and higher price tag. No big deal. For someone who claim he is driving a merc, I expect him to have better taste/judgement/broader and wiser opinion when it comes to car. And telling me so and so also bought the same car is not helping.

I am not saying Lexus is not a good make. I just feel that it's no big deal.[/quote]Drive a merc only what's the big deal? Just because i aspire to study overseas means i cannot own a nice car? 😂 Btw Mercedes Toyota and BMW are the top 3 most common cars in singapore. I don't like BMW for the wrong image and high maintenance cost and engine may not be as reliable as it looks. Audi VW being same company suffer from gearbox issues. Lexus has recalls but still quieter than the German makes. Porsche, maserati and jaguar image is not suitable for me either. Ferrari and lambo are for red light beaters. Well if it makes you feel better I am driving a Hyundai sonata lor or take bus ok. 🦆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969063https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969063Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:37:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:11:06 GMT]]>

slmkhoo:
Imami:

I have never been to overseas for study. But I don't think I am ever penalize/ short changed becos of this. In fact, I don't see how those colleagues who graduated from overseas have an advantage in terms of promotion.


When I am promoted, it was because I was truly deserving, or so I was told by bosses, peer and subordinates. When I was bypassed for promotion, I could see how/why another colleague was more deserving (and no, never was it becos he/she was an overseas grad).

I can report from the other side - I did go to a prestigious overseas university and got a good degree. But I didn't have the competitiveness or ability to really succeed and my HR dept in fact told me to my face that that was the feedback they got from various supervisors. I opted for a lower-paying, less 'desirable' job (which I enjoyed, actually) in that stat board and eventually quit to become a SAHM. During my 9 yrs of working life, many who joined at the same time were promoted ahead of me, including many local grads, some of whom are now in extremely senior positions. And yes, they certainly do those jobs much better than I ever could have.

:hi5:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969048https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969048Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:11:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:03:58 GMT]]>

Imami:
I have never been to overseas for study. But I don't think I am ever penalize/ short changed becos of this. In fact, I don't see how those colleagues who graduated from overseas have an advantage in terms of promotion.


When I am promoted, it was because I was truly deserving, or so I was told by bosses, peer and subordinates. When I was bypassed for promotion, I could see how/why another colleague was more deserving (and no, never was it becos he/she was an overseas grad).
I can report from the other side - I did go to a prestigious overseas university and got a good degree. But I didn't have the competitiveness or ability to really succeed and my HR dept in fact told me to my face that that was the feedback they got from various supervisors. I opted for a lower-paying, less 'desirable' job (which I enjoyed, actually) in that stat board and eventually quit to become a SAHM. During my 9 yrs of working life, many who joined at the same time were promoted ahead of me, including many local grads, some of whom are now in extremely senior positions. And yes, they certainly do those jobs much better than I ever could have.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969040https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969040Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:03:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:23:18 GMT]]>For the time being, The only reason why I am sending my son overseas for his uni study is becos

1. He has won a scholarship to study in uni like Harvard or similar Or
2. His grades do not make it into a local uni and I can afford To send him overseas.

I fail to see why an overseas education will definitely provide my son a competitive edge, especially if
-his attitude is bad
- his social/emotional quotient is low
- he thinks his degree is so important that it is a key factor of how successful he will be and that nothing else come close.

I have never been to overseas for study. But I don’t think I am ever penalize/ short changed becos of this. In fact, I don’t see how those colleagues who graduated from overseas have an advantage in terms of promotion.

When I am promoted, it was because I was truly deserving, or so I was told by bosses, peer and subordinates. When I was bypassed for promotion, I could see how/why another colleague was more deserving (and no, never was it becos he/she was an overseas grad).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969018https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969018Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:23:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:15:49 GMT]]>

ngl2010:
the other top overseas universities then I have respect for their education smartness. Otherwise, local universities are still better.

yes, definitely agree. In my ex-company, local grads command a higher starting salary compared to those from overseas (non ivy league uni).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969014https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969014Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:15:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:13:07 GMT]]>

janet_lee88:
Imami:

[quote=\"Harlequin\"]yearning for a Lexus


:slapshead: :slapshead: addiooo..... lexus nia.

Off topic...I also yearn for Lexus...but cannot afford the petrol and maintenance.[/quote]Janet, u don't drive (often) so maybe u don't get my point. But really, to me Lexus is just toyota with a different logo and higher price tag. No big deal. For someone who claim he is driving a merc, I expect him to have better taste/judgement/broader and wiser opinion when it comes to car. And telling me so and so also bought the same car is not helping.

I am not saying Lexus is not a good make. I just feel that it's no big deal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969013https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/969013Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:13:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:20:37 GMT]]>One of my relatives was a poly grad. She graduated during the Asian financial crises and had to work in McDonald’s for two years. When I returned from overseas, we met up and I rewrote her CV for her and a cover letter and we sent it off. That was my little contribution. She was invited for an interview where her drive and determination shone through. She was hired by an international petrochemicals company. Fast forward 10 years, she is now based in Hong Kong and travels frequently for meetings and to meet clients.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968993https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968993Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:20:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:47:03 GMT]]>

sinoboy:
It is my personal opinion that an overseas education may not be necessary in the past, but times have changed. With influx of people here from everything, we better arm ours kids with an overseas education to ensure they do not get marginalized. Isn't that what KSPs is about? :xedfingers:

I guess it depends on which percentile of the population you are aiming for? Surely only a minority of graduates in Singapore are educated overseas? How can the majority then be the 'margin'? And I feel that employers and bosses can surely tell the smart/able from the less smart/able, irrespective of where they got their degree. I think the degree from a good (not every or any) overseas university may help in landing the first job, but performance counts for more after that.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968959https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968959Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:47:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:24:47 GMT]]>

sinoboy:
sunflower:


I’ve always assumed you are working in the private sector. Just wondering, are your bosses and bosses above majority PRs and FTs?

Money and status are not everything in life. If you can remove the big 无明, you’ll be much happier. Wish you peace and happiness.

My previous bosses were a mixture of locals and FTs. I'm only saying one of my regret is life is not having an overseas education. It is my personal opinion that an overseas education may not be necessary in the past, but times have changed. With influx of people here from everything, we better arm ours kids with an overseas education to ensure they do not get marginalized. Isn't that what KSPs is about? :xedfingers:

Only when they are scholars or graduated from Harvard and the other top overseas universities then I have respect for their education smartness. Otherwise, local universities are still better.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968950https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968950Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:24:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:19:57 GMT]]>

sunflower:

I’ve always assumed you are working in the private sector. Just wondering, are your bosses and bosses above majority PRs and FTs?

Money and status are not everything in life. If you can remove the big 无明, you’ll be much happier. Wish you peace and happiness.
My previous bosses were a mixture of locals and FTs. I'm only saying one of my regret is life is not having an overseas education. It is my personal opinion that an overseas education may not be necessary in the past, but times have changed. With influx of people here from everything, we better arm ours kids with an overseas education to ensure they do not get marginalized. Isn't that what KSPs is about? :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968932https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968932Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:19:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Hanging out with intelligent friends makes children smarter on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:49:15 GMT]]>

Imami:
Harlequin:

yearning for a Lexus


:slapshead: :slapshead: addiooo..... lexus nia.

Off topic...I also yearn for Lexus...but cannot afford the petrol and maintenance.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968919https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/968919Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:49:15 GMT