Is intelligence inherited or acquired???

Answer 1

Intelligence is Inherited.

Knowledge is Acquired.

Some seemingly unintelligent people have a plethra of knowledge in society.

And some very intelligent people don't have a lot of knowledge about other things.

Although I believe the two go hand in hand, this isn't always the case.

Answer 2

Intelligence is mostly inherited. That is to say the innate ability to process information, store that information, recall and use it in a useful way. One can, however, acquire knowledge and information. This is only a small piece of "intelligence". One does not get faster or better at processing the information beyond what your genes will allow. Each person has a set limit on potential intelligence. Environmental factors can often lower intelligence. Radon or lead poisoning, your mother drinking during pregnancy, etc. all will tend to lower your intelligence. Brain injuries also lower intelligence often.

Answer 3

Both. Some babies are fortunate to have very smart parents & get those good genes so they start out with an advantage. However, I think all children have the ability to learn and increase their overall intelligence with a lot of studying. Intelligence can be acquired by anyone willing to do the work to get it.

Answer 4

This is one of the "age-old" debates that seems to arise in every psychology class I take. The basic answer is that "nature" and "nurture" play a role in intelligence. You inherit a potential "bandwith" of intelligence... for example your potential intelligence could range from IQs of 90-130... it is the "nurture" component, i.e., your environment, that determines where on this inherited bandwith you will lie. Of course injury/drugs etc etc could lower your intelligence below the bandwith, and studying your entire life could further your bandwith, but it wouldnt be by much.
This sort of idea has arisen from studies of identical twins who are reared together in the same environment or who are separated at birth and thus grow up in different environments. Twin studies can separate intelligence due to inheritance and environment

Answer 5

It is both. It is a nature-nurture "issue"... although we do inherit a certain "set" of genes that may determine to a larger extent our physical abilities, we also live in supportive or neglectful environments (take your pick), which either encourage or limit our physical abilities. This is an ageless debate, and one that will never be "resolved" as to "one side or the other only is the cause". Because it's not a one-sided development. There are too many variables in life, and always all those variables will influence our abilities.

Answer 6

Both. There is definitely a genetic component to intelligence.

Through education, reading, and life experience you increase your innate intelligence.

Answer 7

I'd say inherited.

However, there are MANY ways to optimize your brain and bring it to perform better - in which case, you might even perform better than people who are more intelligent but didn't harness the full power.

One way being to exercise - and it is pretty interesting, as can be read here:
http://www.smarter-mind.com/exercising-makes-you-smarter

Well, good luck on finding the best answer :)

Answer 8

The ability to become intelligent is probably inherited, but can be undone due to bad habits and laziness. Good habits are always 'acquired'

Answer 9

Acquired. My father dropped out of school in the 8th grade. My mother was taken out of school in the 6th grade to help at home with the kids by her parents. Seeing their frustrations from a lack of education I immersed myself in books at a young age and still do. INTELLIGENCE is definitely not "inherited" for it is EARNED.............

Answer 10

it's god-gifted. sometimes people have them even tho, sorry to say, do not come from brainy parents.. and intelligence cant be acquired.. knowledge can, in order to become intelligent.