The influence of IQ on pure discovery and guided discovery learning of a complex real-world task

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the predictive ability of IQ on pure discovery and guided discovery learning of a complex real-world task. Hold'em poker is a game of skill with significant complexity. Its attributes resemble real-life activities such as stock market investing, shopping for a home, and the battles of war. To explore pure discovery learning, a group received no guidance while playing a total of 720 hands of poker. To investigate guided discovery learning, a group received poker strategies while playing the game. Results revealed that IQ explained a significant proportion of the variance in pure discovery but not guided discovery learning of hold'em poker. Results suggest that IQ predicts learning of tasks when both cognitive and emotional factors are present. It is possible that for pure discovery learning to be effective, both cognitive and emotional factors need to be present.