Is intelligence genetic or environmental?

[Ben.]

I made another topic, which assumes intelligence is genetic. So, my new question:

"Is intelligence genetic, or environmental?". Basically a nature/nurture argument.

I personally believe your base intelligence is genetic. Some people from good social backgrounds would not perform well on an "IQ" test, but some from not so good backgrounds may perform well.
By base intelligence, I do not refer to "education", or "school". It is not reflected by formal education.

[Gandalf]

If intelligence wold be genetic, that would mean children of intelligent people would also be more intelligent them selves. As intelligence often is linked to the capacity of getting a higher social status, this would make an automatic barrier between intelligent people with a higher social status and less intelligent with a lower social status. As in reality we do not see this happen, social status if often irrelevant to intelligence, it means that there is no direct link between genetics and intelligence.
That intelligence is determined by birth rather than by education however is true. The mechanism of how it works exactly is at this time, luckily, unknown.

[Ben.]

I would put forward an argument about IQ tests. In theory, if you took IQ tests throughout your life, the number should remain the same. However, it does not take into account that later on you have had more practice, and know what to expect.

In genetics, certain alleles are not always passed on. For example, having parents with ginger hair does not necessarily mean the child will have ginger hair. Obviously, this leads to a good debate!

If it was indeed environmental, I could argue that intelligence is determined in the "sensitive period", outlined by Bowlby, a psychologist. If this is the point where children make the primary attachment, it could be feasible that intelligence is also defined at this point.

An interesting example (to some) is of me and my identical twin brother. It seems to be that he is more academic, but less creative than me. Maybe there is a limited "capacity" in our minds for both intelligence and creativity. Some people may have a smaller capacity (through genetics) than others, but environmental changes affect how we choose to go on, early in life.
It would certainly explain the difference between me and Joe.

[Gandalf]

Creativity comes from another part of the brain as logic. Considering you were stuck together for 9 months it is natural that both should have a different half of the brain being more active.

[Ben.]

Pfft, not literally stuck together! We shared a placenta, if that counts though  :redface:

[Gandalf]

Pfft, not literally stuck together! We shared a placenta, if that counts though  :redface:

Not just a placenta, you also shared a more and more cramped space. And if you are identical twins, at least at some point during your development you were stuck together. 

[Ben.]

Scary thought...