Intelligence and genetics. Introduction: For many decades psychologist have attempted to link intelligence to genetic traits and test the probability of intelligence of an individual. How does one define intelligence and what measurement scale is effective in measuring intelligence are problems scientist are facing when determining intelligence. Other factors to consider when testing and tracking intelligence is the environment, nutrition and nurture of an individual. If psychologist were able to predict the intelligence potential of an individual, the individual could be linked to the maximum occupational and income potential. Scientific background: In order to gain a perspective to the genetic influence and heritability of …show more content…
Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence states intelligence is not unitary and there is no “general intelligence”. Multiple Intelligence involves linguistic, mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal abilities. Gardner’s theory is based on neuropsychological evidence and psychometric evidence. Sternberg’s triarchic theory pertains to 3 sets of acquired skills; creative, analytical and practical and emphasizes the importance of wisdom based knowledge in order to formulate and achieve goals. This places the idea of an individual having the ability to sense the common good of the goals both in the long and short run. Biological bases of intelligence is seen in the prefrontal cortex regions and the neocortex. A higher IQ correlates to higher levels of function in the superior, partial, temporal, and occipital cortex along with subcortical regions. Neural efficiency Speed of conduction of neural impulses brain metabolizes glucose during mental activities and the location of the glucose being metabolized. The brain also appears to have the ability to be trained on where the glucose is to be metabolized. In conclusion with the multiple theories in the study the intelligence of an individual is linked to the way an individual’s brain metabolizes glucose and the neural efficiency with the
per liter and the lactate uptake by the brain is higher than the glucose uptake.
The study revealed that individuals who were able to withstand the temptation of chocolates eventually were less stable to continue with the strenuous puzzle task compared to the individuals. According to the psychologists, this is an effect of ego depletion. Glucose plays the role of a distinct form of energy in cognitive activity and our pancreas; this is also required for self-control. Glucose is a sugar found in varieties of foods; in addition glucose is an essential fuel for the brain and the body. This is why brain gets a sensation when it comes down to consuming foods with low nutritional value.
In “A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, Howard Gardner illustrates how there are a variety of intelligences. Gardner starts off with an example how IQ tests may predict achievement in school but may not predict achievement in life. After finding out certain parts of the brain are responsible for certain functions, such as “Broca’s Area” which is responsible for sentence production, Gardner proposes the existence of multiple intelligences. Multiple studies later led him to propose seven distinct intelligences; Musical, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Each intelligence has certain classifications. According to Gardner’s classifications, I realized my intelligences are bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, and intrapersonal.
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.
The biological approach in psychology states that behaviour is determined by a genetic component which results in a particular trait or behaviour. A topic area within psychology where this can be investigated is the heritability of IQ, it is suggested that genetic influence is the only factor to consider when investigating IQ, however others have suggested that other factors may play a role in determining IQ.
Participants initially completed a Stroop task; this was so glucose was absorbed in the bloodstream of participants who had consumed the sugary drink and depleted in those who had not. Following the Stroop task, participants self-reported their weight and the experimenter placed weights which were approximately 20% of the participant’s reported weight into a backpack, which the participant was then instructed to put on. Whilst wearing the backpack, participants were asked to give a slant estimation of a hill. Three measures were used to record the estimation: a verbal estimation of the hill’s angle, a visual matching task where participants adjusted a disk to represent their estimate of the angle, and a haptic measure in which participants used their hand to adjust a board to their estimated angle without looking at their hand. Results were analysed using a between-factor ANOVA; significant results were found for verbal and visual measures but not for haptic, which was consistent with the theory that haptic estimates are not affected by glucose. The second similarly involved a Stroop task, self-reported weight, and provision of a sugary / non-sugary drink (in this case, Coke or Coke Zero). Participants’ blood glucose levels were measured before they consumed the drink using a finger-prick test, and ten
Identical twin studies are most useful in determining genetic influence on intelligence. Since the identical twins share the same exact genes, the straightforward comparison of intelligence can display if this human trait is truly heritable. Similarity of intelligence scores between identical twins supports the genetic influence on intelligence. According to Myers (2007),
Intelligence is often dictated as the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, it encompasses a number of mental abilities such as reasoning, planning and problem-solving. There has always been large controversy and arguements over whether intelligence is inherited through genes or influenced by the environment. If intelligence is nature, it means that human beings are born with it, and cannot be changed by environment or through time; but if we were to say it is nurtured, then it means all are born with the same intelligence and potential and it develops over time under the influence of surroundings. Intelligence is one of the most important topics in many professions but even after myriads of research
Glucose has been found to have diverse effects on different strains of memory. Glucose, a simple sugar, is often found in carbohydrates and should be moderately ingested in one’s diet. It provides energy to not only the body, but allows the brain to function properly. Glucose travels across the blood-brain barrier through facilitated transport in order to do so. A lack of glucose can result in weakness and fatigue due to the brain attaining energy from one’s fat and muscles instead of sugar. This is often seen in individuals with eating disorders. A great deal of diets suggest that glucose should be reduced or even eliminated, but a multitude of studies and research show that attaining the right amount of glucose can have positive effects on
These intelligences are linguistic intelligence which is the capacity to use language to express what is on one's mind and understand people this can enable me to communicate and understand people in an easy way. It also enables me to express myself efficiently. Mathematical or logical intelligence is the capacity to understand the principles that underlay some kinds of casual systems a scientist or logician does or even to manipulate numbers, operations, and quantities as a mathematician does. The strength that I have is the ability to reason deductively and think logically. Musical Rhythmic intelligence is the ability to think in music to be able to hear patterns, recognize them and manipulate them, this can enable
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought” but when were these first intelligent thoughts thought? Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. But intelligence has evolved from the past. The innovation of fire furthered to the light bulb, as the hut became the skyscraper. This topic is worthy to investigate because modern humans have advanced so greatly, but how exactly had our genius evolved and where did our intelligence start. How are the intelligence of early humans different from that of modern humans, and what inferences can be made from this data?
Dr Luis Alberto Machado was elected in Venezuela (1974) as head of human intelligence. He revolutionised their learning system.
Once a person has an idea of what intelligence is and what it means, a final thought one might consider is what influences are responsible for the different types of intellect. Two possible influences are genetics and the environment in which one lives, with genetics being the strongest influence (Santrock, 2009, pg. 302). Most researchers agree that a person’s genetics and environment interact with one another to influence the outcome of that person’s intelligence (Santrock, 2009, pg. 302). Genetic influences should be pretty obvious, so there should be no need to explain it; a person’s environment on the other hand, can involve several factors. An environment can consist of elements such as a person’s school, home, friendships, family relationships, and workplaces. All of these components factor in to influence a person’s intelligence.
Gardner proposes that because these eight types of intelligences are biologically based, they are malleable and therefore “capable of evolving” (Aborn, 2006). Aborn points out that Gardner’s theory is drastically different from many previous widely accepted intelligence philosophies, “such as the Stanford-Binet IQ Test, which is based on…one type of [genetic] intelligence…and [remains] fixed throughout life” (2006, p. 83).
I first want to say that my perspective and answers are influenced by my belief in Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Intelligence and ability are not one linear scale. They are both complex.