Nature vs Nurture Is intelligence developed or are you born with it?

Question

basically the title is my question. I need primary sources, it's a research project I am conducting and I would like to get some primary sources. I found some previous sources on the web and I have the bell curve which is the famous book written in 1994.

Thanks

This is directed to Randy D or anyone that can help me. Since I am in High School and this project was given to me in Feb. and the due date is April I do not have time to read The Bell Curve to extensive detail. Can anyone tell me the chapters that would help me answer my question? Thank You Very Much.

Answer 1

Are We Really Born That Way?
You got your green eyes from your mother, and your freckles from your father. But where did you get your thrill-seeking personality and talent for singing? Did you learn these from your parents or was it predetermined by your genes? While it's clear that physical characteristics are hereditary, the genetic waters get a bit more murky when it comes to an individual's behavior, intelligence, and personality. Ultimately, the old argument of nature vs. nurture has never really been won. We do not yet know how much of what we are is determined by our DNA and how much by our life experience. But we do know that both play a part.
What is Nature vs Nurture?
It has been reported that the use of the terms "nature" and "nurture" as a convenient catch-phrase for the roles of heredity and environment in human development can be traced back to 13th century France. Some scientists think that people behave as they do according to genetic predispositions or even "animal instincts." This is known as the "nature" theory of human behavior. Other scientists believe that people think and behave in certain ways because they are taught to do so. This is known as the "nurture" theory of human behavior.
Fast-growing understanding of the human genome has recently made it clear that both sides are partly right. Nature endows us with inborn abilities and traits; nurture takes these genetic tendencies and molds them as we learn and mature. End of story, right? Nope. The "nature vs nurture" debate still rages on, as scientist fight over how much of who we are is shaped by genes and how much by the environment.

The Nature Theory - Heredity
Scientists have known for years that traits such as eye color and hair color are determined by specific genes encoded in each human cell. The Nature Theory takes things a step further to say that more abstract traits such as intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation are also encoded in an individual's DNA. The search for "behavioral" genes is the source of constant debate. Many fear that genetic arguments might be used to excuse criminal acts or justify divorce. The most debated issue pertaining to the nature theory is the exsistence of a "gay gene," pointing to a genetic component to sexual orientation. An April, 1998 article in LIFE Magazine, "Were You Born That Way" by George Howe Colt, claimed that "new studies show it's mostly in your genes." If genetics didn't play a part, then fraternal twins, reared under the same conditions, would be alike, regardless of differences in their genes. But, while studies show they do more closely resemble each other than do non-twin brothers and sisters, they also show these same striking similarities when reared apart - as in similar studies done with identical twins.
The Nurture Theory - Environment
While not discounting that genetic tendencies may exist, supporters of the nurture theory believe they ultimately don't matter - that our behavioral aspects originate only from the environmental factors of our upbringing. Studies on infant and child temperament have revealed the most crucial evidence for nurture theories.
American psychologist John Watson, best known for his controversial experiments with a young orphan named Albert, demonstrated that the acquisition of a phobia could be explained by classical conditioning. A strong proponent of environmental learning, he said: Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select...regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors. Harvard psychologist B. F. Skinner's early experiments produced pigeons that could dance, do figure eights, and play tennis. Today known as the father of behavioral science, he eventually went on to prove that human behavior could be conditioned in much the same way as animals.

A study in New Scientist suggests that sense of humor is a learned trait, influenced by family and cultural environment, and not genetically determined.

If environment didn't play a part in determining an individual's traits and behaviors, then identical twins should, theoretically, be exactly the same in all respects, even if reared apart. But a number of studies show that they are never exactly alike, even though they are remarkably similar in most respects.
So, was the way we behave engrained in us before we were born? Or has it developed over time in response to our experiences? Researchers on all sides of the nature vs nurture debate agree that the link between a gene and a behavior is not the same as cause and effect. While a gene may increase the likelihood that you'll behave in a particular way, it does not make people do things. Which means that we still get to choose who we'll be when we grow up.

Answer 2

"The Bell Curve" is a very good book, so I'm glad you read it. I can't recall for sure, but I bet it's got a wonderful bibiography in the back of it that you might want to look at. As a mental health clinician with 20+ years experience, now retired, I have to say "both" to your question. I know that's not much help, and my studying in that matter has happened so long ago that I no longer have access to that material and am too darn lazy to research it again. Check out the Bibliography in the back of "The Bell Curve". As a matter of fact, as I just stepped over to my bookshelves to get my hardback copy of the book, I see that the Bibliography covers pages 775-832. And the footnotes for each citation by chapter and page cover pages 665-773, and the Appendices (1-7) are wonderful statistical sources and cover pages 553-663. I might add as well that the very well done Index, from page 833-845 is a wonderful source of information. This book was a very well done research project, and was very well prepared and presented. I know the 1994 publishing date might be older than you'd like to have, but even using that book itself as a heavy source will easily lend accreditation to any research project. You might check out any updates on any resources you find in the Index, Appendices, Notes, or Bibliography for additional / updated information. Best wishes to you. God Bless you.

Answer 3

I believe it is both. You can do anything you set your mind to. If you want to be really booksmart then you can. But you have to put the time an effort into it. On the other hand my son is two and already knows everything they require before getting into kindergarten. A B C's 1 2 3's ect. Did I teach him? No he did it all himself. He was born that way. He learns faster then every other child in his age group that I know. I'm not bragging I just think some are born with a better capacity of learning then others.

Answer 4

Were You Born That Way

Answer 5

Look up the national statistics for the American student by racial category. You will see that the black student fares worse than the White or Asian student. So, there must be something to the fact that you must be born with it. If you look at the NCAA and the number of black athletes you would assume that the blaxk student must excel in his studies because of the high number of black athletes. But I heard a commentator say on TV that the NCAA has NOT graduated a single black athlete in the past ten years. I would look this up if I were you.

Answer 6

Apply logic here.Sift through all the stuff you found on the net and sort it out.Contact someone outside of your school environment
who is an expert in child developement.

Answer 7

Both is what i think we are born with certain abilities then we become more intelligent from study and using our brain.

Answer 8

it depends on your growing environment. It has nothing to do with genetics. my dad is a super genius, but I'm a B- student.

Answer 9

Put " psycho-metrics " into your address bar to find many sources of information.