The Innate Trait

There are a slew of tests that attempt to measure how intelligent human beings are. They all measure different aspects and those factors will be covered here. One of the misconceptions is that the tests measure inborn intelligence. Few of the activities are designed for that purpose. They actually measure a person’s interaction with the environment and what they have learned from that interaction. The most common tested aspect is critical thinking. Instead of straightforward questions, intelligence tests offer questions with a twist. It is assumed that the most intelligent people will see obvious flaws in the obvious answers (Steinberg & Williams, 2015). Some intelligence tests also measure reflexes, both mental and physical. The assumption is quick reaction times reflect an active brain and in the line of thinking, a more intelligent person.

What is intelligence exactly? Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills or “the ability to learn and understand things to

Most scientists agree that genes have some influence over general intelligence and special aptitudes in such activities as athletics, mathematics, music, and science. But genes are not the only factor involved in producing these characteristics.

Einstein has brought many insights of life including the theory of the speed of light, which has led to the special theory of relativity that molded the way science, is today. “For example, various experiments, including the Michelson-Morley experiment, failed to measure the expected changes in the speed of light relative to the motion of the Earth. Due to this Einstein recognized that light has a measured speed that is independent of the speed of the observer” (“Albert Einstein.” 4). “Einstein showed in 1907 that mass is related to energy by the famous equation E=mc^2, which indicates the enormous amount of energy that is stored as mass, some of which is released in radioactivity and nuclear radiations, for example in the sun” (4).This enabled Einstein to be able to start and finish the general theory of relativity.

One of the first things a child is taught while growing up is the well-known cliché, practice makes perfect. This phrase has been the basis for trial and error situations time and time again, where if it doesn’t work the first time then keep trying. In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell leaves the audience with a memorable observation, the 10,000 hour rule. The basis of the 10,000 hour rule is that an area of interest requires 10,000 hours of practice in order to become an expert. Although this may be true in some situations, how can someone practice something they are unable to do? Natural talent and ability are crucial characteristics in order to become an expert in any area. This phenomena highly lends itself to the observations made about intelligence and genetics. The main misunderstanding when considering whether this argument is fundamentally nature or nurture is the difference between intelligence and education. Many consider education to be exactly equal to intelligence, which is the basis for the believing that working hard will essentially result in intelligence. Intelligence is considered as “a very general mental capability that, among other things, involved the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience” (Colangelo19-39.) Qualities that make up the realm of intelligence are things that people are simply born with and cannot easily be taught and trained. One may be able to work twice as hard as the next person and equalize their achievements, but the essential difference at work is the way the mind process information and the difference between intelligence and education. Although some consider intelligence to be an environmentally based attribute, they fail to understand the true meaning of

Theorists argue over which plays more of an influence on our cognitive ability. Nativists believe our intelligence is pre-determined at birth from our genetic inheritance although it cannot be seen until the child becomes older, as babies are cognitively immature. This is maturation. Environmentalists do not believe this. They believe children's intelligence is a result of what they have learned, from their interaction with the environment and at birth the human mind is a ‘blank state’ that experiences slowly fill.

Intelligence by definition is “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills” (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). However, many psychologists argue that there is no standard definition of ‘intelligence’, and there have been many different theories over time as psychologists try to find better ways to define this concept (Boundless 2013). While some believe in a single, general intelligence, others believe that intelligence involves multiple abilities and skills. Another largely debated concept is whether intelligence is genetically determined and fixed, or whether is it open to change, through learning and environmental influence. This is commonly known as the nature vs. nurture debate.

In my opinion from watching the documentary and videos and what I have read in the book --- The Genius in All of Us by David Shenk is that I am glad that someone took the time and effort to figure out what most of what humans learn from is from the environment more so than genes. Genetic differences do exist and they do matter tremendously. Most of us don’t know what our true genetics are. One common characteristic in all successful adults is that some point in their lives they come to realize how much of the process of improvement is in their own control. People that understand that achieving success has to do with process and skill building are more ambitious and they do better. There is a big difference between what statistics tell you about genes and what biology tells you about genes. For example: Epigenetics introduce the concept of free will into our idea of genetics. Then there is Gene Expression which is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. Another is Gene Environment interaction which is the phenotypic effect of interactions between genes and the environment. As stated in the textbook: “Intelligence,” as they have seen can mean many things. But however we define or measure it; clearly some people think and behave more intelligently than others. What

There is also scientific opinion that intelligence is attributed to DNA passed on from your parents. ( Plomin , Spinath 2004)

Intelligence tests are inaccurate to measures true ability of a person because genes affect how a person responds to their surroundings, the tests cannot measure the person biological makeup or his true potential for being “smart”.

The nature versus nurture debate is the scientific, cultural, and philosophical debate about whether human culture, behavior, and personality are caused primarily by nature or nurture. Within the field of psychology, this so-called nature-nurture debate, is very often associated with the issue of intellectual quotient, better known as IQ. In the past psychologists have argued that the way in which a child developed was based solely on nature, genetic or hormone-based behaviors, or nurture, environment and experience. Nevertheless, this extreme way of thinking is now long outdated, and it is clear that both nature and nurture have great effect on our intellectual development. The question now lies in just how much impact each has on an

Although the side of both nature and nurture are recently coming together to meet a consensus, nurture generally accounts for a bigger portion of the said intelligence. Nurture plays a bigger role because nurture is ultimately what shapes the person’s exact final motives and values, while nature on the other hand creates the predictions of what the person’s characteristics and intelligence level may will be (Segal 62). Many different environmental factors involved in nurture such as geographic location, social interactions, and personal experiences areis what heavily regulates a person’s intelligence. These environmental factors may assist in the determination of one’s intelligence.

The age old debate of nature and nurture continues to this day; however, one notion that is widely accepted is that intelligence is jointly influenced by genetic and nongenetic factors (Plomin & Asbury, 2005, p. 88). Genetics narrowly refers to the DNA differences that are inherited by humans; genetics does not refer to the DNA which is common throughout all humans or the DNA mutations that may occur with the exception of sex cells (Plomin & Petrill, 1997, p.55). How is intelligence within humans affected by genetic factors? This research paper compiles information from four research articles in order to provide insight into the affects that genetics may have on intelligence in humans. The conclusion will provide a summary of the points covered

Although intelligence is a concept, there are many definitions that try to describe and interpret intelligence for people. One of the many definitions is the “capacity to understand” (World English Dictionary: Intelligence). This definition is describing intelligence and giving one facet of the diamond that is the various definitions of intelligence. This simple definition is often used by many common people, but a more in depth definition is “the ability to derive information, learn from experience, adapt to the environment, understand, and correctly utilize thought and reaction” (APA Dictionary of Psychology: Intelligence). This definition delves deeper into intelligence and paints a general picture of intelligence but is unable to define intelligence for a simple reason. Intelligence is a concept and thus is impossible to completely define by one comprehensive definition.

Intelligence is used by everyone to help them in everyday life. Where people get their intelligence, however, is debatable. A person is born with an amount of inherited intelligence; this intelligence is considered nature, genetic, or heredity. Then there is intelligence that comes from the ability to learn from experience; this intelligence is impacted by nurture or the environment. It is known that both genetic and environmental factors determine intelligence, but the subject is controversial among professionals. Does nature or nurture have a bigger impact on intelligence? Is it true that some people are born with high intelligence, but are limited by their environment? Given the proper tools, can a person increase their intelligence? How accurate are IQ tests?