Essay Explain Why Heredity Many Contribute To Individual Differences In Intelligence

Table 3-1 examines the correlations between selected characteristics for the identical twins separated at birth and the twins raised together. When compared to each other, they both have very similar brain wave activity, blood pressure and heart rate in the physiological characteristics. The Raven intelligence test was very similar, but the WAIS IQ displayed a bit of difference when compared to the other comparisons made. Personality wise, they typically had similar personalities at the same rate as twins raised together. Psychological interests were off a little bit, but still very similar. The twins that were separated at birth had less similar psychological interests compared to the twins

One way to determine the extent to which genetic influences affect IQ is via twin studies, in these studies monozygotic twins (who share 100% genetic information) are compared with dizygotic twins (who share only 50% genetic information), in both sets of twins the environment is constant, as a result the only factor affecting IQ is the genetics shared, therefore allowing cause and effect to be established. (Tzaskowski 2014) conducted an experiment using 6702 pairs of twins to compare g scores and DNA markers, from the experiment is was found that twins estimated heritability’s increased from 0.35 to 0.48 from ages 7 – 12, this shows that there is a strong genetic link between heritability and IQ from childhood to adulthood.

During the procedure researchers desired to acquire as much information as accessible during the one-week visit. The testing consisted of 50 hours of four personality trait scales, three aptitude and occupational interests and two intelligence tests in which each twin had to fulfill. The researcher’s results show that genetic influences resemble to justify for most of the disparities in human characteristics. Bouchard and Lykken have come to the realization that genetic has a major impact on the characteristics of human and that it is no longer a deliberation. Instead ideas must be looked upon to advance. Our clarifications on fundamental views about skills, interest, parenting, education, abilities, and social behavior come from the viewpoint that individual’s knowledge and judgement shape their character and not the genes. Bouchard and Lykken will be the first to contradict with clarifications and propose their own suggestions. Genetic influence mainly drives intellect. These influences contain education, family setting and social class. Also, in Bouchard and Lykken’s findings are some genetic and environmental influence combinations that determine individual

‘Heritability’ refers to how far genetic differences are responsible for variations in traits, characteristics or abilities within a population. Heritability studies may involve twins or adopted children, where it might be possible to distinguish between genetics and environmental influence. These studies generally find that monozygotic twins are more intellectually akin than dizygotic twins; similarly children who have been adopted, remain intellectually comparable with their biological parents. This infers that there must be a genetic component responsible for differences in intelligence. However heritability estimates are inconclusive. (Deary 2001) claims that the heritability estimate tends to be placed between 40% and

During the second half of the 20th century, psychology was dominated by the behaviorism theory which states that all human behavior is controlled by environmental factors. Adopted monozygotic twins who were separated at birth were to be reunited later on as adults. The purpose of this study was to see if monozygotic twins that were raised together (MZT) were more similar than monozygotic twins that were raised apart (MZA). The twins each had one week visit, testing about 50 hours every week. These tests included four personality trait scales, three aptitude and occupational interest inventories and two intelligence tests. Along with these tests, there were interviews that were held. These included a life history interview, a psychiatric interview and a sexual history interview. All the assessments that were done were held individually so that the twins did not influence each other’s answers.

The dizygotic twins show a higher correlation than their other siblings even when reared apart supporting the theory that nature does have a major influence on human intelligence.

Next, the discussion is about the IQ's of identical twins reared apart. There was an experiment conducted to estimate the heritability. Each member of a pair of a genetically identical individuals were assigned to be different environments entirely at random at the moment of conception, and then determine the correlation between the pairs at some later stage of their development. There will be no correlation between genotypes and environments. Other than that, we would like to discuss something which is also related to the IQ, This would be more detail about the inherited IQ. Genes are very strong influence over the parts of our brains develop, scientists in the US and Finland have found. And the parts most influenced are those that govern our cognitive ability. In short, we inherit our IQ. Referring to the Baby Geniuses movie, we can also discuss about the Studies of Reared-Apart (Separated) Twins: Facts and Fallacies. In this studies, its shown that twin studies supply the most frequent cited evidence as the part of genetic importance which influences the differences of human behavioral. Twin studies mostly is based on classical twins method comparisons between identical and fraternal twin pairs reared together in the same family home.

Many psychologists have been debating if the nature-nurture controversy contributes to intelligence. Some psychologists today approve that both genetic and environment plays a part in determining intelligence. Twin study method is studying identical and fraternal twins to discover the relative effects of inheritance and environment on a diversity of attributes. The best method to evaluate the relative contribution of heredity and environment is to examine identical twins who have been separated and raised apart. With the twin study method researchers, Bouchard have studied approximately 60 pairs of fraternal twins and 80 pairs of identical twins who were reared apart. Bouchard have found the heritability of IQ to be 0.60 to 0.70, which

The 20th and 21rst centuries have seen incredible and important developments within the framework of scientific understanding of Humanity. The exponential growth of specific scientific and biological knowledge over time has called for the creation of multiple fields of specialization regarding human architecture. Human beings are essentially composed of strains of nucleic acid that determines a person’s individual traits. Does this mean that one’s existence is only defined by one’s gene? Is biodiversity in humanity solely based on different genotypes and phenotypic variations, therefore giving no credit to non-genetic factors in proving successful human development? In fact, human intelligence is not solely influenced by heredity. Non-genetic factors, for example the environment, encompass not only the physical, chemical and biological principles of intelligence, but also the numerous social and psychological ones that shape healthy development. This essay will investigate whether or not intelligence is fostered exclusively by genetic heritage or if nurturing and environmental factors play a role.

Turkheimer and his colleagues are the first to try to fill this gap. Their studies in the United States on this issue have now compared the intelligence of hundreds of twins from more privileged backgrounds with those from harsh environments. Children with higher social status the greater the genetic influence on the difference in intelligence. Children with a lower status end up not being like their parents. Turkheimer says "The IQ of the poorest twins appeared to be almost exclusively determined by their socioeconomic status, A person's intelligence can only truly blossom if the environment gives the brain what it desires.”

Over years of study it is has been observed how a part of intelligence is heritable in nature. Heritability being an estimate of the size of the genetic effect (Dunn and Plomin, 1990; Collier, 2008) In the field of Behavioral genetics, Studies on monozygotic and dizogotic twins have shown that monozygotic twins have a variance of 0.64 to 0.74, assuming that there is no environmental

There are many different variables one can look at in order to answer the question of how identical are the identical twins. In this study intelligence is selected as a variable to be analyzed. The study explores the impact of environment, genetics and sex on intelligence. What influences intelligence has been studied as part of health and development for a long period of time? This study provides with data on genetic factor and environment effect on development. Also it will help us understand how identical twins can or cannot be different regardless of their similar genetic makeup.

Intelligence by definition is “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills” (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). However, many psychologists argue that there is no standard definition of ‘intelligence’, and there have been many different theories over time as psychologists try to find better ways to define this concept (Boundless 2013). While some believe in a single, general intelligence, others believe that intelligence involves multiple abilities and skills. Another largely debated concept is whether intelligence is genetically determined and fixed, or whether is it open to change, through learning and environmental influence. This is commonly known as the nature vs. nurture debate.

However, the similarities between fraternal twins is lower compared to identical twins. The reason for this is because a single gene is not the full determinant of one’s traits, but it is a combination of multiple genes that influences characteristics (Segal, 2012). Human beings have a total of twenty-three chromosomes that contain thousands of genetic material each. Genes are the functional units that are transmitted from parents to their offspring. They have the double function of transmission of heritable information and diversification of traits across generations and among individuals (Caprara & Cervone, 2000). Despite having very similar personalities, identical twins also have some well defined personalities that can equip someone in telling them apart. The contrast of personalities in identical twins shows that our genes are not solely responsible for our

Based on the movie “Baby Geniuses“, our team have come up with some supportive ideas by three journals which are “The Relative Effect Of Nature And Nurture Influences On Twin Differences” by Karl J. Holzinger, “ The Origins Of Intelligence In Children” by Jean Piaget, and “Relationship Among Processing Speed, Working Memory, And Fluid Intelligence In Children” by Astrid F. Fry and Sandra Hale. The synopsis of the movie start with Dr. Elena Kinder, CEO of the BabyCo Corporation, has formulated a method of child rearing which is the Kinder method meant to produce exceptionally intelligent children. To demonstrate its superiority, she arranged for a pair of identical twin boys to be born to a surrogate mother. One of these twins, Whit, was adopted by Dr. Kinder's niece, Robin, and raised as a normal child.