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.
     
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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

Mary Jane Pisuena (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 13:52

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.

shaina (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 13:53

pra sken pareho nature at nurture , hindi ka nmn mabubuhay ng nurture lang.. or yung stock knowledge kumbaga ., syempre kelangan mo rn mag absorb ng knowledge through nature .. un lang

Irish Sialana (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 13:54

Agree. I believe that nature is purely a product of nurture.

regina (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:01

well.. i agree to her .. its both nature and nurture . kung nurture lang limitid lang ang kaalaman mo

Ma. Veronica Toledo (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:06

pareho lang. kasi pwedeng nasa lahi na talaga ang katalinuhan ng isang tao o kaya naman ay nadevelop sa kanyang sariling pagsusumikap. depende rin kung masipag talagang mag-aral.

Ma. Veronica Toledo (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:10

pareho lang sapagkat pwedeng nasa lahi na ng isang tao ang katalinuhan o kaya naman ay nadevelop dahil sa kanyang sariling pagsusumikap.

charito (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:12

i agree to her.. :)

Lester (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:20

Human Intelligence: Nurture all of us are given one brain, a brain that from the very start of our lives composed nothing. We start to develop brian from the time we are tough ABC by our parents. What we have now are just the effects of our hard work. If Human Int is nature, therefore no man should go to school, since, his intelligence is inborn!l

Maxine Jean Zape (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:24

Para sa akin , Nurture dahil lahat ng bagay ay nangangailangan ng development.Pwede nating sabihin na namana through genes ang pagiging matalino pero may mga limitations yung mga bagay na mamamana ng isang tao. At hindi matatawag na intelligent ang isang tao kung iisang bagay lang ang alam niyang magaling siya. So for me, Nature Intelligence is useless without Nurturing :)

Jaynie Ann Llames (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 14:58

naniniwala ako sa nature intelligence kasi kahit na sabihin natin na matutunan natin ang mga ibang bagay na mahina tayo ay magiging limitado pa rin iyon. unlike sa nature intelligence ipinanganak na tayong may ganoong katangian na mas magaling tayo.

izza (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 15:21

i agree with eljie because its true that intelligence can be passed by the parents and it can be developed by studying

benjamin (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 15:26

Nurture dahil hindi porket matalino magulang, matalino din ang anak. Kaya nagiging mataino ang isang tao kasinagsusunog ng kilay.

Regina Cristobal (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 15:32

Human intelligence is a combination of what we know and what we can do. Both nature and nurture can contribute to human intelligence, but I believe that environmental factors affect more our intelligence, dahil hindi sapat na matalino ka lang sa mga bagay na alam mo. Do not limit your self when it comes to learning because, it is one of the best ways a person can improve and develop his own potential. A person should also be street smart, it is the greatest influence on our intelligence levels throughout our lives.

Arjen Mae Dampi... (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 15:35

For me ,its either nature or nurture,because nature intelligence is what we inherit or our inborn abilities.On the other hand,nurture is what we are learning and developing in our environment.

Arjen Mae Dampi... (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 15:41

For me,its either nature or nurture.Because our nature intelligence is what we inherit or our inborn abilities.On the other hand,Nurture is what we are learning and developing in our environment.

Anthony King T. Vega (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 16:10

Human intelligence is nurture. Kasi dun nae-enhance yung brain mo kung hanggang saan ang kaya mo. Oo, at some point tama din ang nature pero wala pa sa kalahati ng intelligence ng isang tao ang naaapektuhan nito, more than half of the intelligence of a person is adapted from the environment.

Denden Carpio (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 16:26

Knowledge is attained through continuous learning. A baby itself cannot learn how to count unless it is taught. It will not know what to call something unless it is told what it is. It goes on until we grow old, as long as we live. But then again, a person has limits as to how much he can learn. It would depend on the brain capacity with which he was born with. But that's another matter to discuss.

Anonymous (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 17:28

this is my reaction to the comment of janine gonzales: human intelligence comes primarily from nature, but how it is nurtured is a big factor.

SuPeRMaN (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 20:25

Well, it make sense.. True intelligence can be inherited by genes, but still its up to you on how you will nourish it.. It can be in natural way with propper guidance and guidelines. Considering also, additional knowledge can be acquire thru socializing with others.. :)

SuPeRMaN (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 20:34

Well, it make sense.. True, that intelligence can be inherit thru genes, but still, its up to you on how you will nourish it. It can be in natural way with proper guidance and guidelines. Also, considering, additional knowledge can be acquire thru socialization and depends on the people that your dealing with.. :)

Jordan Earvin (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 23:16

NATURE UNTELLIGENCE !! Nature Intelligence is the intelligence that we have since the day that we are born. This kind of intelligence is NATIVISM, meaning, this can be caught by our parents or relatives.

Jordan Earvin (not verified)

Sun, 07/28/2013 - 23:25

NATURE INTELLIGENCE !! Nature Intelligence is an intelligence that we can caught on our parents or other relatives. It is also influence by environment or other things around us.

jhester tarronas (not verified)

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 01:32

This is my reaction to the comment of JOHN MARK Nurture. Kasi walang permanente sa mundo. Lahat nagbabago, lahat pwede matutununan. We have always learning and changing. but she's right because we started in nature and we just nurture in our environment..

JOSHUA (not verified)

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 12:27

your write coleen Doctors And Teachers And any other specialist can recomend a good nutrition health and healthy mind.

JOSHUA (not verified)

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 12:29

For me Doctors and Teachers can recomend a good health and healthy mind..

JOSHUA (not verified)

Mon, 07/29/2013 - 12:29

For me Doctors and Teachers can recomend a good health and healthy mind..

Jerome Cristobal (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 08:00

Nature. Hindi tayo pinanganak na may alam na. Malaki ang epekto ng mga tao at bagay sa paligid natin, dahil yun ang talagang huhubog ng kung magiging ano tayo balang-araw. Kaya nga tayo nag-aaral para magkaroon ng satisfaction sa sarili natin, dahil sa tingin ko, walang tao ang gugustuhing manatili lang sa lebel ng kaalaman na meron siya. Siyempre, gusto niya, ma-develop din.

Uniqueca Lorrai... (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 09:35

The prior example of intelligence shows that both nature and nurture work together in producing intelligence. Having great genes alone is worth little if intelligence is not nurtured in healthy and stimulating environments. They intertwine in multiple ways.

Chelsie Eunice ... (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 11:45

For me, intelligence of a person was influenced by nature and developed by nurture.

Rona Elaine Acabado (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:49

Given the fact that we have our NATURAL INTELLIGENCE I will still go for NURTURE, because NURTURE is the act or process of promoting the development of a child or a person. There's no such thing as instant knowledge even robots undergone processes and or experiments that can develop its skills and abilities, same goes well with us humans we need someone like our parents/guardians who will be there to support, encourage, to educate and to foster us with all the ideas and or emotions that we need to enhance our NATURAL INTELLIGENCE. I therefore conclude that NATURAL INTELLIGENCE is not enough for us to live our lives still we need to NURTURE it.

Randy Acabado (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:56

For me I will choose NATURE because without our natural intelligence we don't have something to nurture.

Elaine Queja (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 14:00

I will choose both because without these two we're useless. We need NATURE for us to NURTURE it and become a better person.

rhea garfin (not verified)

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 15:00

"For me it's nature, but intelligence can be enhance by the environment, for example proper stimulation of the brain during the formative years"

Jerome Cristobal (not verified)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 02:41

Malaki ang epekto ng nature pero mas naniniwala akong mas malaki ang epekto ng nurture. Hindi tayo pinanganak na may alam na. At alam ko wala naman sino sa atin ang gustong manatili sa lebel ng kaalaman na meron sila, kaya nga tayo pumapasok sa school diba? Para madagdagan ang kaalaman natin. Hindi lang sapat na may alam ka, dapat marunong ka din. At para mas madagdagan ang kaalaman mo, kailangan mong makisalamuha sa environment na meron ka, it's good to learn from other people's experiences.

jayr (not verified)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 11:07

For me, human intelligence is NURTURE because all of us have our own goals and dreams, because of this, we are studying hard to achieve it. Maybe NATURE have its own point but I think NURTURE is the best.

jayr (not verified)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 11:07

For me, human intelligence is NURTURE because all of us have our own goals and dreams, because of this, we are studying hard to achieve it. Maybe NATURE have its own point but I think NURTURE is the best.

Ronalyn Queja (not verified)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 18:02

For me, Nurture. Because before we knew everything, we need to study. That's nurturing.. By that, we learn many things that will develop our intelligence.

Ruel (not verified)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 18:16

Para sakin NURTURE. Kasi ung intelligence ng isang tao nadedevelop yan habang bata pa hanggang sa lumaki na. Sabihin na nting talagang matalino ka, na namana mo yun sa mga magulang mo ibig sabihin ba non na galing lng sa knila yon? hindi db? Syempre galing yun sa pagsisikap mong mag-aral. Nag-aaral ka kaya ka natututo. Kasi kht sabihin natin na matalino ka pero tamad ka namang mag-aral edi non-sense din ung pagiging matalino mo, wala kng matututunan.

hannah (not verified)

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 05:46

ito na lang ilagay mo sa comment box "I agree that Human Intelligence are both Nature and Nurture, The nature aspect is in regards to what we are naturally born with, what is already ingrained in our brains. and the nurture aspect is in regards to how society and the people surrounding you affect who you are."

Aina Dominique ... (not verified)

Sun, 08/04/2013 - 13:59

This my comment to Tatum's comment, I agree because it depends on us whether to enhance what is genetically passed onto us or just sit around and do nothing.

John Daniel Fabello (not verified)

Sun, 08/04/2013 - 14:09

Both because what is genetically passed onto us can be enhanced through education.

Nikki Santos Am... (not verified)

Sun, 08/04/2013 - 19:12

Nature: Some people have family genetics that gives them a great advantage in developing their musical intelligence or mathematical intelligence or verbal intelligence. You may have a complex mix of all sorts of genetic potentials for excellence in various aspects of human life. That does not mean that you will automatically develop those potentials: It merely shows that you have a genetic possibility for outstanding development. However, you may not develop your musical potential if you are raised in a home with no musical instruments or encouragement to pursue music. Brains may vary as much as human faces and hands do. We can all recognize that newborn babies have different facial structures and finger sizes. But our faces and hands change over the years, as we grow, get injuries, sunburns and exercise different muscles (by smiling or frowning lots). It is very likely that we are all born with slightly different brains; but we "exercise" different parts and the architecture or structure of the different parts change, based on our own developmental patters. Hence, there is no single human potential. We all have unique potentials. And we all have different socializations that allow us to develop different parts of our own unique potentials. We cannot change our genetic inheritance; but we can affect the way that our genetic potential is developed through the nurturing processes. Nurture: The nurture of intelligence has many components and there are countless different ways that nurture affects our brains and smarts. First, there are chemicals that affect our intelligence. For example, children who eat food or objects that contain lead develop irreversible damage to their brains, and this reduces their intelligence for the rest of their lives. This is one of the reason that laws have been passed to prevent lead from being used in gasoline and paint (where they once were common). Oxygen deprivation can also kill brain cells; and newborn babies who cannot breath well (because of premature birth or clogged air tubes) lose brain cells and suffer irreparable damage to their potential for intelligence. Various diseases can also damage the brain and hamper intelligence. On the other hand, there are all sorts of positive environmental inputs that can enhance intelligence -- and help individuals develop their genetic potential for excellent memory, logical thinking, and fast information processing. Good diet and exercise are basic prerequisites for the development of a healthy brain. Mental stimulation from living in an exciting environment is also important. That is why some parents place their infants in cribs with several stimulating toys and spend hours playing and interacting with their infants. All through childhood and adulthood, people who live in stimulating environments are likely to benefit from mental stimulation that activates their brain cells, develops their logical skills and makes them intellectually quick. A challenging education is important, where "education" does not just mean formal schooling -- but also all the real life learning that could fill our 16 to 18 waking hours. Having exciting friends who love to talk about broad ranges of topics is wonderful. Actually getting out into the world and using your body to act upon your knowledge is far more important than "couch potatoes" recognize. Passive people do not have as well developed brains as active people. Nature and Nurture Together The prior example of intelligence shows that both nature and nurture work together in producing intelligence. Having great genes alone is worth little if intelligence is not nurtured in healthy and stimulating environments. Sometimes people assume that they have great "native" intelligence ("good genes") and they think that they do not have to work hard at being smart. They may be hurt by their own assumption that nature alone is important in developing their potential. Nature and nurture always work together: Both are important.

Venald C. Torres (not verified)

Mon, 08/05/2013 - 13:35

Nature or Nurture? For me is Both . Human intelligence as intelligence in the human species; the property of mind that encompasses the capacities to reason, plan, problem solve, think, comprehend ideas, use languages, communicate, and learn. 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

Jean De La Cruz (not verified)

Tue, 08/06/2013 - 12:28

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Jackelito Ombajin (not verified)

Tue, 08/06/2013 - 13:05

It is said that Nature refers to all the evolutionary factors that have shaped the genetics that we have inherited from our parents and ancestors. So do you believe that Human Intelligence is Nature? Why?

Jackelito Ombajin (not verified)

Tue, 08/06/2013 - 13:05

It is said that Nature refers to all the evolutionary factors that have shaped the genetics that we have inherited from our parents and ancestors. So do you believe that Human Intelligence is Nature? Why?

jhasmin jarilla (not verified)

Thu, 08/08/2013 - 02:45

para sa ain ay nurture se dun nahubog ang ugali ntin na kung saan un ang nakiita ng mga taong naapaligid sa atin nadadagdagan nalamang ito ng magakaugalian ng nature sa pagat d tulad ng dati sa bahay lng tayo umiikot.

Angelo (not verified)

Sat, 08/10/2013 - 03:48

Both factors contribute to the human intelligence. As for nature, we usually get our intelligence from our parents by means of genetic inheritance. For example, a person that do not have the chance to go to school still have the ability to think as the person who do. On the other hand, nurture also contributes to human intelligence, thus, a person who had the chance pursue his education is more likely to be intelligent than those who don't. Also, socioeconomic status influence in the cognitive development, a person who is well fed gets more nutrition than those who don't.

Kenneth Cuizon (not verified)

Sat, 08/10/2013 - 05:02

Dahil pareho naman nating nadedevelop ang ating katalinuhan through experiences at genetic inherited.

Kisses :* (not verified)

Sat, 08/10/2013 - 07:06

i think , our intelligence is more on in "nature" or within the environment than in "nurture". we we're born without knowing anything about this world holding the fact that it will really depend on our status in life on how we will be, on what we will be, in the future. After at birth, while were growing, that's the only time our intellect works widely as the years goes on and it is by what we see around, isn't it? can we say? that while we are inside the womb of our mother? " i want to be a scientist,mom? " without knowing what is, being a scientist?? am i right? that's why i really do believe we have our intelligence because of the things happening around us, it is within the "nature" ! and maybe those who believe that's its within 'nurture', because some of us are really ment to be (e.g. a scientist, or a famous artist, teacher, etc.).. and the only answer is its because of the GENES of our parent's and that's all.

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