Soccer Dad

Is Ken Jennings Intelligent?

The New York Times deals with the question as to how smart Ken Jennings really is. Short answer: there are different types of intelligence and Ken Jennings possesses the kind that is particularly suited to winning at Jeopardy. Oh and there's one other thing:

Finally, there is something that is apparent to anybody who watches the show. Mr. Jennings is the champion. He is relaxed and confident, like the Yankees playing at home. That doesn't guarantee success, but it makes it a lot tougher for challengers.

"Confidence, or lack of confidence, can really affect how you process information," Dr. Plucker said. "He has a huge emotional advantage."

Given Mr. Jennings's knowledge, sense of strategy and clear sense that the challengers are coming onto turf that he owns, Dr. Plucker concluded, "he's going to have to have a terrible day for someone to beat him."

Dr. Plucker added that he would like to see Mr. Jennings compete against other champions, which would limit his emotional advantage.

Alex Trebek really has to be more careful. He plays no small role in making Ken Jennings feel comfortable - or possibly, too comfortable - making comments that suggest the inevitability of a Jennings victory. Ken Jennings definitely lost because he's back home; but Alex Trebek has played a role (unconciously to be sure, and a small one too) in helping Ken along.

I do wonder a bit if Jennings has gotten a bit of luck with the quality of his challengers. I don't watch every day, but I don't recall watching when any of his opponents won their bet on Final Jeopardy.

Posted by SoccerDad at July 18, 2004 07:30 AM | TrackBack