Human Intelligence: Nature or Nurture?

Submitted by admin on Thu, 12/08/2011 - 13:13
IT HAS BEEN A DEBATE for more than a century, on whether our intelligence was inherited by nature or acquired through nurture. It is an argument between the Principles of Psychology and Sociology and the meticulous studies of Science. Intelligence is the capacity of our rational mind to consolidate and evaluate external stimuli by integrating sensory input with our memory and our programming.
           
More than a century ago, Sir Francis Galton, a scientist who began studying the role of genes in intelligence, theorized that parents transferred intelligence to their children, who in turn passed these intelligent-boosting genes down to their offspring. Science Daily, on one of their articles, said that our brain structure is considerable under genetic influence.
            
On 1979, a professor of University of Minnesota, Thomas Bouchard, conducted a study through IQ testing about twins separated from their biological parents and adopted children to their foster parents. Then, he found out that intelligence was being passed genetically and the correlation of the adopted children to their foster parent is zero percent.  Daniels, Devlin and Roeder (1997) and Matt Ridley conducted several studies and concluded that heritability can account for 48% of the variation in IQ.
           
In the field of Psychology and Sociology, they believed that intelligence is being affected by the environment.
 
Herrnstein and Murray (1994) on their Bell Curve Experiment found out that people from different part of the world have different IQ due to their difference in their environment. (Related: Recognize how the human body imposes limits and possibilities for transcendence and Evaluate own limitations and the possibilities for transcendence)
 
These two psychologists also concluded that intelligence is being affected by their socioeconomic status. They also said that education really affects one’s intellectual capacity, that a person who goes to school has a higher IQ compare to those who don’t. Lastly, that intelligence is also affected by the person’s occupation, as they concluded that those persons whose jobs exert less skill constitute a lesser IQ.
     
Contributors/Online Moderators:
These college students call their group ‘Purpose- Driven Group’:
John Cyrei Kennedy C. Tamo is a proud graduate of Sto. Niño De Novaliches School. He loves to read, surf the net, socialize in networking sites, and write articles.
Maria Kristina Jihan C. Bana is from Pagadian City Pilot School and Zamboanga Del Sur National High School. She is proud of her “beautiful crooked nose.”
Lovely Fernandez is an alumna of Legarda Elementary School and Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila. She is the lead vocalist of a Christian band.
Joyce Ann Caligan finished elementary and high school in Manuel Luis Quezon School in Manila. She loves playing tennis, reading books and surfing the net. 
Diana Mae Gipanao finished elementary and high school in Cornerstone Academy. She is currently taking up Legal Management course.
 
INVITATION:
Our dear readers, which is which? Is human intelligence more of a product of nature or nurture? We want to hear your opinion. Please leave sensible comment/s.
 
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Comments

Stella Margaret... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:08

Nurture!! nasa sarili kasi ng tao mismo yung human intelligence. tao talaga yung gumagawa ng paraan kung paano magkakalaman yung utak nya.

Marison Angela ... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:12

My answer would be both. I believe that when intelligence is nurtured properly and healthily, intelligence will be the nature of anyone of us.

Neil Alberto (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:23

For me nature, because every person has it's own way of thinking. Yes we depend on our parents pero may kanya kanya tayong kakayahan na hindi natin nababase sa parents natin. And one example of this is our way of thinking.

JGSAMOZA (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:31

For me both. Pero mas maganda pag NURTURE kasi madadagdagan ng madadagdagan ang intelligence ng isang tao. Pag nature kasi parang limited lang pag tinamad na pupurol at pupurol din ang utak

Alec Xavier Manabat (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:37

I answer these by saying both are. One acquires intelligence through nurture from our environment. We gain knowledge from what we experience and what we learned. Yes, one can know what will happen through logical reasoning but how would you know what it will become if you do not know anything about it yet? That means, you already knew something; you already acquired intelligence. That intelligence can be already natural to you or you acquired it from your experiences. When you were born, you know nothing except what you experience; that is intelligence by acquiring from nurture. How you learn it is simple: it is because you are a human, and humans have their intelligence naturally. ... Other example is Intelligence is Natural because: The first humans to ever live in this world do not have any earlier generations to start with. We cannot go 'ad infinitum'. There should be a start. The first humans acquire their intelligence naturally. That is why we are humans. Intelligence is Nurtured because: The first humans know nothing. Thus, the intelligence we have right now is nurtured by their surroundings.

Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:47

I agree with her that it is both nature and nurture

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:53

NURTURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 09:54

NURTURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 10:10

NURTURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 10:28

NURTURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Alec Xavier Manabat (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 10:49

Yes, I agree with your statement. Anyone can improve their own intelligence if they work hard to achieve it.

Naomi Grimaldo (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:09

For me, parehas akong naniniwala sa nature and nurture pagdating sa human intelligence. Pero, i totally believe in nurture. Kasi wala pa naman tayong masyadong alam nung pinanganak tayo kaya nasabing nurture kasi dinedevelop ito at dahil din sa tulong ng mga nasa palaigid natin.

Jamaica (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:31

More on NURTURE because there is a range of differences. The environment can also make family members different.

joanna mizaella... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:35

for me nurture because even your inherited your intelligence from your parents if you didn't study and develop it its just nine sense,,at this present time you can learn many things if you just wanted it..

joanna mizaella... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:36

for me nurture because even your inherited your intelligence from your parents if you didn't study and develop it its just nine sense,,at this present time you can learn many things if you just wanted it..

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:36

NURTURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

kayle tabor (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:42

for me nurture because we learn things by having communication with other and also base on our experience so our intelligence are being develop while we grow up

kayle tabor (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:43

for me nurture because we learn things by having communication with other and also base on our experience so our intelligence are being develop while we grow up

kayle tabor (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:43

for me nurture because we learn things by having communication with other and also base on our experience so our intelligence are being develop while we grow up

Kim (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 11:52

Nurture of Nature? Well basically for me it’s nurture, even though your parent’s or your family is highly intelligence, if you as a person don’t find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Daisy Esic San ... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:05

NATURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family are highly intelligence, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

Daisy Esic San ... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:10

NATURE OR NATURE? Well basically for me its nurture, even though your parent's or your family are highly intelligent, if you as a person don't find learning is interesting thing definitely you cannot be intelligence as you are right now.

James Palconit (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:16

On my Opinion , I agree with marison. Because I believe that when you nurtured yourself properly, Your Intellegence will be your nature. :)

Shaina Marie Yamzon (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:21

I believe that human intelligence is nurture because we gain knowledge and information through studying. Though we may be able to pass our knowledge, we can only prove if it's true by studying. So I believe that human intelligence is nurture.

Maria Jade R. C... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:23

This is my reaction to the comment of Janine Gonzales. "In my opinion, it can be both. I believe that the human intelligence is by nature because it is the gift from God. We, people have our own knowledge. Intelligence may come from nature, it can be by blood and as I stated earlier I believe that intelligence is a gift from God. Also, it can be nurture. Why? Because, there are people who are dedicated to what they are doing. Human intelligence can come from nurture; people who nurture intelligence are the ones that are diligence in studying. They are the ones who really wants to gain a lot of knowledge. But still there are people who's intelligence is from nature but not taking good care of it and not studying hard. That's why it can be nature and nurture. And at the end of the day, it's us who will make our own life and decisions.

elaine lubay (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:36

for me it's both.. nature because we can learn it in our environment and nurture because we can have it from our parents.

elaine lubay (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 12:50

for me it's both.... nature because we can learn it in our environment; and nurture because we can have it from our parents.

Richelle Aquino (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 13:05

Nature because we we're born with an empty mind. We are influenced by our nature. We adopt the things that we see in our surroundings.

Toni Bugas (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 13:31

For me it is both. Because I believe that we got our intelligence from our parents and by studying we improve it.

Jv Villareal (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 13:56

Well, it is right that intelligence is a product of both nature and nurture. We can't say that only one of these two is the product because the two helps an individual to develop his or herself.

Jv Villareal (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 13:58

Well, it is right that intelligence is a product of both nature and nurture. We can't say that only one of these two is the product because the two helps an individual to develop his or herself.

Laurie Estacio (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:03

For me, intelligence is a product of nurture. Intelligence is not yet developed when we're a child. It develops as we grow up.

Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:07

I disagree, we got our intelligence naturally. We can think even without education or anything. The only thing we lack without education and proper nurturing is our perception of what is right and what is wrong.

Carmela Beatriz... (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:08

Both because these two is definitely a part of the intelligence of a people. Don't need to have a debate for this because each of the two have a part in human intelligence.

Vianca Cordova (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:17

I agree with you because we can't choose what is really the product of human intelligence.

Nikko v.2.0 (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:33

For me, both nature ang nurture dahil parehas naman silang may kinalaman sa pagiging tao natin (intelligence). Nasa sa'yo na lang yan kung ano yung nangingibabaw or mas pinaniniwalaan mo.

Rheng (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:35

Nurture para saaken, dba pag nurture sa environment? Feeling ko kasi nakadepende ang intelligence ng tao depende sa environment nito, syempre halimabawa matalino ka nga in nature kaso hndi mo naman magagamit kung ang mga tao sa paligid mo ay hndi rin ginagamit.

Rheng (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:39

Nurture para saaken, dba pag nurture sa environment? Feeling ko kasi nakadepende ang intelligence ng tao depende sa environment nito, syempre halimabawa matalino ka nga in nature kaso hndi mo naman magagamit kung ang mga tao sa paligid mo ay hndi rin ginagamit.

Rheng (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:48

Nurture para saaken, dba pag nurture sa environment? Feeling ko kasi nakadepende ang intelligence ng tao depende sa environment nito, syempre halimabawa matalino ka nga in nature kaso hndi mo naman magagamit kung ang mga tao sa paligid mo ay hndi rin ginagamit.

Ian (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:57

Nurture, depende sa pagpapalaki at alaga ng magulang sa kanyang anak at sa mga kaibigan nakapaligid sa kanya. Sa panahon kasi ngayon more influnce of other na yung nangyayari.

Ian (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 14:57

Nurture, depende sa pagpapalaki at alaga ng magulang sa kanyang anak at sa mga kaibigan nakapaligid sa kanya. Sa panahon kasi ngayon more influnce of other na yung nangyayari.

Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 15:20

I prefer both because we also get some new knowledge in nurture and we also got in nature so we got many knowledge in those two and also the student might understand it very well.

Benedict John Lamata (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 15:47

Human Intelligence are affected by both Nature and Nurture.Nature refers to all the evolutionary factors that have shaped the genetics that we have inherited from our parents and ancestors. Nurture refers to all the things that have influenced us since we began to develop (from the moment we were conceived). Nature determines the range of our human potential. Nurture affects the ways that our human potential is actualized, being helped or hindered by good or bad environmental inputs.

Josh Stevens (not verified)

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 15:58

Personally, I believe that intelligence itself is mostly down to nurture - through what we learn through our lives either through education or experience. However, I cannot rule out a possible genetic link. The capacity to learn though? Like anything, intelligence is a skill that must be honed and perfected. Like how some children naturally have an early talent for things like drawing or sports, I don't see why it cannot be possible for other "head starts" to be passed down genetically - that children can be born with a higher aptitude for the academic. That doesn't mean that kids will be born instantly smart, but it means that they naturally have a better affinity to learning than others. So in conclusion, my answer would be that yes, I agree that both nature and nurture are determining factors in intelligence - however, they do not have equal weight. If a child with an aptitude for sports does not practice sports, than they will fall behind.

Cindy (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 00:37

For me, we can consider that human intelligence is both nature and nurture. Intelligence maybe passed through genes but I believed that when a child grew old, his intelligence was nurtured by different factors.

Naomi Grimaldo (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 01:55

For me, human intelligence can be acquired by both nature and nurture and it also contribute. But i totally believe in nurture because we are born without knowing what's happening around us and through our parents, they help and teach us well. Intelligence is a combination of our knowledge and experience but intelligence we get is came from our biological parents.

Nina Alberto (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 02:25

I agree on Neil Alberto, bilang kapatid nya, naniniwala ako na hindi namamana ang talino ng isang tao. Dahil ang pagiging matalino namin ng kuya ko ay natutunan lang namin. Nadevelop lang namin ito.

Burt Eric Morales (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 02:29

Tama ang sinabi ni Neil na human intelligence is nature dahil ginawa tayo ng Diyos ng may kanya-kanyang kakayahan. Isa na dito ang ating talino. At tayo ang bahalang gamitin ito sa kung saan man natin gusto.

Anne (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 02:32

Nurture din kasi kahit both parents mo matalino kung hindi ka mag-aaral, hindi ka pa rin matututo. Pwedeng mas maging matalino pa sayo yung hindi gaanong matalino pero masipag mag-aral.

Kit (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 02:36

Nurture-kasi kung namamana din lang ang intelligence eh di sana wala nang nagtuturo.

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