While science has proven that memory games don't make you smarter, there are five methods that actually do work. About a decade ago, some early scientific research suggested that playing memory games could increase "fluid intelligence," which is the capacity to solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge. A spate of apps, books and classes resulted, all claiming to make people smarter. Unfortunately, later studies proved that "braintraining" (as it's sometimes called) has no effect on your general intelligence. The most recent research in psychology and neuroscience, however, has found five effective strategies for improving your intelligence. Some of them may surprise you: 1. Believe that it's possible. According to a study cited New York Times, a group of students were given classes on how the brain works. Half were told that it's possible to get smarter; the other were told the opposite. When tested on the...