Do you think intelligence in children is genetic and/or environmental?

Question

I believe that most of intelligence is based on genetics with some of it coming from environmental influences (schools, teachers, etc). I was curious as to how others felt.

For example, do you believe that you can significantly increase a child's intelligence by good, private tutoring? Do you think children have a natural difference in the level of intelligence they can achieve?

Answer 1

I think that children are born with a genetic roof for intelligence, and then the environment can work to help that child get to that roof.

For example, a child who has the genetic capability of reaching an IQ of 130 will have a better chance of reaching that potential in an environment that challenges the child and encourages him or her to learn as much as possible. That same child turned loose in the forest and raised by wolves would never reach their 130 potential. But a child who has the genetic capability to only reach an IQ of 100 will feel frustrated and defeated when pushed to learn things that they just aren't capable of grasping.

Answer 2

I've wondered about this and have my own little theory. Yes, I think it's both. I think each person is born with a range of intelligence they can fall into. I think it's probably about 10 IQ points.

I think the actual level of intelligence the person will reach is set early by his environment. By early I mean within about the first 3 years of life. This is when the brain does most of its developing and the neural pathways are forming. The more enriched environment a child has early on, the greater the possibility that they will reach their own personal highest possible intelligence.

So, to answer your actual questions. The tutor: not really. Helpful in learning, but not increasing the actual intelligence level. Natural difference: absolutely.

(edit) When we talk about intelligence, though, we need to remember that it's not everything. Determination, drive, values, compassion, and so many other things can play into a person's life. Some highly intelligent people have no ambition to do anything and some lesser intelligent people really succeed (Can I use the Bush example, too? lol)

Answer 3

I think that part of it may be genetic. However, there are a lot of parents out there who think that it is a teachers job to teach. They don't realize that PARENTS are the child first teacher. Children see us every day and look up to us. If we are setting a bad example, the kids are going to pick up on that. There are parents out there who aren't talking and really interacting with their kids. You play with them with their toys and tell them what things are, or what color or shape it is. You read to them and point things out in the book. Sing nursery rhymes or the ABC's (they don't care if you can carry a tune!) with them.
Children are like a house. You have to lay a good foundation for they so they have something to build on. Within the first 5 years of life they are learning so incredibly much. We are teaching them. They see the littlest thing and mimic it. They hopefully learn right from wrong. Parents should be firm in the younger years so they kids are less likely to walk over the parents later. Parents should be teaching by example. My mother was terrible at math. Instead of puting her fear on me, she made sure I was confortable with numbers. To this day I LOVE math.
So when you come down to it, I would have to to say that a lot of it is environmental. What is the child experiencing? Is the child in an environment where he is encourged to learn? Are there people envolved with the child that are interacting in a positive way? These are all learned things and have nothing to do with genetics.
So when you ask about tutoring and increasing intelligence, I think it has to do with the foundation, and the capacity of the child. If the child doesn't care about leaning, tutoring isn't going to do much unless you can get the child envolved. If this had been established at a younger age, in might not be such a chore now.

Answer 4

Depends how you define intelligence. Certainly a child is born with a capacity for learning--a huge capacity in a healthy child, but of course some children have limitations. But a component of intelligence is how a child is trained to use that capacity. It's both. I'm the parent of an adopted child and I see the influences of genetics and environment both strongly.

Answer 5

My IQ is somewhere around 115. Not a genius, but my psychologist classified my intelligence as above average. Majority white countries are developed compared to poorer countries. That doesn't mean that their societies are actually developed. They operate in a capitalist economic system, which is actually holding a lot of things like alternative energy and open source software behind, due to artificial scarcity and the incentive for profit. We are using things like cars and trucks in 2012, for example. Since oil resources are depleting, and since we have trains and airplanes, there's really no need for cars and trucks anymore, they should be put on the race tracks for people with hobbies. We could power trains, and possibly flying cars with helium 3, a non radioactive form of nuclear energy. However, that's only possible in an alternative economic system.

Answer 6

I think it's a combination of both. The genetics have to be there but your parents don't necessarily have to be smart to have a smart kid. I also think the environment in which the child is nurtured is very important. If you take a genius and abuse them and neglect them their "genius" is less likely to show through as opposed to the child that is exposed to good stimuli.

Some kids are just naturally better at some things than others. My son is a mathematical wiz. He can pick up on just about any type of math theory with little explanation. It just comes naturally. However his literary skills leave something to be desired...it doesn't come easily to him. My daughter is a good all-around student but she has to work harder and put more effort into it.

It's similar to some people being naturally gifted athletically. Given a good coach, a great atmosphere kids thrive. Get a crappy coach and a poor atmosphere and the kids don't thrive. However the naturally gifted athlete will shine while the average athlete will muddle through, perhaps never to play again.

A combination of nature and nurture.

Answer 7

i am a teacher and have had dumb students that could not learn anything but the way i chose and the techniques that i had for them finally worked.
repeating can make a child be curious and eager to learn.
when my own child was 8 months old i started reading books to her and showed her the colors and the alphabets by the age of 15 months old she was able to say two word sentences like mommy come,i go ,daddy work.
and now she can read and write and grab materials easily.she is 4 and very curious.it can come from the way you talk to your child or students,they way you tutor them and the way environment is prepared for them to make them shrap and get their brains work.
if you have all the child is lucky.
i remember i used to ask a lotta questions about the cartoons she used to watch.and i made her remember whatever she saw at the store while doing the shopping.
so i think you play an importnat role in a child's life.

i hope i have helped.

Answer 8

I think it's equal parts genetics and environment. I have 2 daughters who are like night and day. My older girl takes after her fathers side of the family, who has some learning disabilities. I have done my best to teach her what I can. My younger daughter, though, has taken after my side of the family. At 22 months old she could recite the alphabet, count to 11 and knew all her primary colors. Now, at 9, she is reading and comprehending at a high school level. Her math skills are behind, but that, again, I think is partly hereditary. (I'm horrible at math). I also have a son who will be 17 shortly. The poor boy can't read, but he's an absolute math wiz. It works out cuz the 9 year old helps him with his reading work and he helps her with her math.

Answer 9

genetics doesn't always produce the results we want. i mean einstiens kids were dumb as bush..if not dumber.

same can be said for many other famously smart people.

i say a lot of is has to do with enviornment. genetics plays a small part in that-if a (sorry for the term) retarded person has kid..obviously that kid isn't gonna get the best genetics out there....i mean..again look at the bush twins.....daughters like parents!

so my point is. if you have a moderatly intelligent couple (and i mean at the most basic of intelligence)..and they give their kid a solid environment to succed and learn..that kid will do pretty good.

Answer 10

It's both. The genetics give the child a foundation, but the environment is responsible for fostering it.