2007-01-12 17:17:53 · 9 answers · asked by my angel is 2 1/2 now:) 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I don't think heredity plays a major role if any. A person becomes who they are based on things that are either hereditary or learned (a.k.a. environmental factors). Intelligence comes from what is learned, and from the motivations of that person to learn.
As an example, you don't inherit the answer to "what's 2+2?" at birth. You learn it.
Almost everyone will inherit a brain that will be capable of learning, just as they will inherit legs that are capable of walking if taught.
2007-01-12 17:25:13 · answer #1 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was basically brainwashed in my psych classes in college to believe that people are born with a certain range of IQ rather than a fixed IQ, so the average person is not born with the average 100 IQ but some range of IQ points of let's guesstimate 90 to 110. Then your environment would play its part. For example, if you have a really deprived abusive childhood with no books, aren't played with, poor schooling, poor parenting, etc. you grow up with something closer to the 90 IQ. If you have a perfect childhood, lots of books, are played with constantly, attend the best schools, excellent parenting, then you probably wind up with an IQ that would be closer to a 110.
Of course, there are people out there that are gifted that are born with higher ranges then that, and people born with lower ranges than that of course too. I esp. like this theory because I have some special needs children now, and I like to think that people's IQ's including my own children's can be improved which I do believe.
re: Heredity playing an important role in intelligence. I haven't done research on that, but just having seen the genetics in my family and my dh's is amazing. My dad, brother, and I are all gifted. My dh, his mom, and my son are all dyslexic. I won't be surprised to find out that any future grandchildren I have will be gifted and/or dyslexic!
2007-01-12 18:59:14 · answer #2 · answered by Karen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it does. We see the the outward roles genetics play on the appearance of offspring as well as the internal roles, such as genetic defects. Why should the make-up of the brain be any different? I know we always teach our kids that they can be anything... but come on. I don't care how much a person reads or study, that will not create an Albert Einstein.
2007-01-12 17:23:31 · answer #3 · answered by Speaking_Up 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This arguement is definitely very popular in developmental discourse. As it so happens, the arguements can be resolved and don't have to oppose one another.
Twin studies (monozygotes) show that intelligence (not so much achivement, but ability) is highly correlated. Moreover, adopted children tend to have more in common with their biological rather than adopted parents. That being said, intelligence has been shown in some studies to be only 40% heritable. With that in mind, intelligence can be said as being a mechanism given in birth, but must be nurtured by the environment - this is why most smart people have smart kids rather than dumb kids, and dumb people can have smart or dumb kids.
2007-01-12 17:30:28 · answer #4 · answered by Larry003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it does. Consider, you inherit physical characteristics from your parents. Your entire body is made up of cells that were formed from those two tiny cells of your parents...and the differentiations that have taken place, from the union of those two cells, influences all aspects of your life and being. True, you can be dumb, from smart parents, or smart from dumb parents. You can be tall with short parents or short with tall parents. Also, your own identity is unique,un-like anything ever seen before on the face of the planet. Enjoy your own life and don't worry about heredity. You are what you are.
2007-01-12 17:26:16 · answer #5 · answered by judgebill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should see my mother and father...look at me...heredity definitely plays a roll....i have the i.q of a rock.
2007-01-12 17:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Cletus C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes of course. Early man was able to get smarter by eating the marrow of bones and passed that gene on to their offspring. Plus when you are raised in a family that values education, chances are you wil too
2007-01-12 17:22:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Nature vs. Nurture debate, I usually side with Nurture.
2007-01-12 17:28:03 · answer #8 · answered by sugarpacketchad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both my parents was stoopid.
reel glad i aint 2
2007-01-12 17:21:55 · answer #9 · answered by dirtyoldman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋