In: Psychology
Identify what is meant by heritability, and what the data on genetic influences on intelligence tells us about the role of nature versus nurture on intellectual ability
Heritability as the extent to which genetic individual differences contribute to individual differences in observed behavior.
It is the proportion of variance in a particular trait, in a particular population, that is due to genetic factors.
Heritability is the proportion of this total variation between individuals in a given population due to genetic variation.
Heritability is a mathematical estimate that indicates how much of a trait's variation in a population can be attributed to genes.
Intelligence is the ability of acquiring and applying knowledge and skills.
Is intelligence hereditary or acquired? Twin research has shown that 55% of intelligence is determined by genetics. This genetic component determines the upper limit of your intelligence, that is the maximum intelligence you can realize. Your environment determines whether you will actually reach this maximum level. people inherit practical intelligence, which is the knowledge that comes from the way your parents communicate with you.
Role of nature versus nurture on intellectual ability
Our genes determine the quality of our intelligence, our ability to integrate and process information.
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.
looking for the causes of individual differences in intelligence, a major issue is the relative contribution of genetics and environment.
"Mother Nature has plainly not entrusted the determination of our intellectual capacities to the blind fate of a gene or genes; she gave us parents, learning, language, culture and education to program ourselves with."
It is often debated whether intelligence is significantly influenced by a person's environment or their genes. Many study has shown that intelligence is a product of nurture as well as nature.
Differences among people in their cognitive ability are influenced by both their genes and environments, but genetic effects have often been easier to demonstrate because identical twins are essentially clones and have highly similar IQs.
As humans, our intelligence is derived from and developed through nurture: our surroundings, environment, and experiences. Our intellect is developed throughout our lives, with assistance from our early childhood development, our families, and through schooling.
CONCLUSION :
Both nature and nurture are essential for any behavior, and it cannot be said that a particular behavior is genetic and another is environmental. It is impossible to separate the two influences as well as illogical as nature and nurture do not operate in a separate way but interact in a complex manner.One thing is clear though, every person has their own kind of intelligence which is worth exploring. This is inborn. After a person has realized their natural intelligence, then they can nurture it.