Intelligence is often measured by standardized tests, cognitive assessments, academic achievement in school, and IQ, but how is intelligence influenced within an individual? Is intelligence heritable or related to one’s genes? Does the environment impact one’s cognitive abilities?
History of the Nature and Nurture Debate: Plato and Aristotle
From Ancient Greece to modern day, there has been an ongoing debate of nature vs. nurture in regards to intellect. Greek philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, held contradicting views about human intelligence. Plato believed intelligence was encompassed and is a separate sense from the body. Furthermore, Plato’s perspective on human intellect underscores nurture’s impact. External environments including schools, relationships, and cultures influence the reasoning of an individual. On the contrary, Aristotle thought cognitive abilities were influenced by biological factors, such as a “man’s superior intelligence is credited to his large brain” (Gross 248). In this sense, Aristotle presents an emphasis on the role of nature. Genes and heritable characteristics affect a person’s intelligence.
Nature: Fluid Intelligence
The fluid crystallized theory includes the concept of fluid intelligence, which refers to the abilities of cognitive reasoning without any prior knowledge. Across people, there are relative differences in comprehension and reasoning. Moreover, fluid intelligence supports the nature of human intellect. Without the exposure of external factors, the testing of fluid intelligence allows representation in one’s cognitive processing and understanding. In regards to biological nature, there are regions of the human brain that are connected to fluid intelligence. The “orbitofrontal cortex, caudate nucleus, cerebellum, insula cortex and prefrontal cortex” engages in the function of memory, which helps with the improvement of fluid intelligence (Daugherty et al. 2). In relation to the reliancy on these regions, as people reach older age, fluid intelligence diminishes. The biological role of the brain and lack of prior knowledge highlights nature’s part on cognitive abilities.
Nurture: Crystallized Intelligence
Crystallized intelligence is the other concept that is part of the fluid crystallized theory. This concept refers to knowledge that is acquired from outside sources and atmosphere. In contrast to fluid tests, “crystallized tests are typically more culture loaded” (Kan et al. 2421). Connecting back to the nature and nurture debate, crystallized intelligence relates to nurture. The exposure of the culture and relationships varies from individual to individual and influences intelligence. The education one receives impacts the acquirement of knowledge. Comparing both private and public schools, students experience different material and levels of advancement in education.Culture, education, and relationships intertwine with one another and play a key role in the development of an individual’s intellect. Based on the environment one inhabits, the experiences mold the perspective and reasoning of certain situations.
Nature and Nurture
So is intelligence based on nature or nurture? I believe intelligence is dependent on both nature and nurture. Nurture impacts nature, such that external conditions influence gene expression and physical development. The debate should not be between whether nature or nurture plays a role in intelligence, but rather, how they work together to affect human’s cognitive abilities. Researchers look into the impact “genes and environments have on intelligence and achievement” (Petril and Wilkerson 187). For a child, the specific conditions that one is exposed to can influence the brain development. If raised in poverty, the child is susceptible to malnutrition, lack of an education, and stress. Throughout the early stages of development, these factors affect intelligence.
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Sources:
Cherry, Kendra. “What Are Fluid Intelligence and Crystallized Intelligence?” Verywell Mind, 7 Dec. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/fluid-intelligence-vs-crystallized-intelligence-2795004.
Cherry, Kendra. “What to Know About Nature vs. Nurture.” Verywell Mind, 3 June 2020, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-nature-versus-nurture-2795392.
Daugherty, A. et al. “Individual differences in the neurobiology of fluid intelligence predict responsiveness to training: Evidence from a comprehensive cognitive, mindfulness meditation, and aerobic exercise intervention.” Trends in Neuroscience and Education 18 (2020): n. Pag.
Gross, Charles G. "Aristotle on the brain." The Neuroscientist 1.4 (1995): 245-250.
Jones, Andrew Zimmerman. “Plato and Aristotle.” A History of Ancient Greek Physics, 28 Sept. 2017, www.thoughtco.com/physics-of-the-greeks-2699229.
Kan, Kees-Jan, et al. "On the nature and nurture of intelligence and specific cognitive abilities: The more heritable, the more culture dependent." Psychological Science 24.12 (2013): 2420-2428. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797613493292
Nesterak, Evan, and Evan Nesterak. “The End of Nature Versus Nurture.” Behavioral Scientist, 21 May 2017, www.behavioralscientist.org/the-end-of-nature-versus-nurture/.
Parry, Bethan. Nature vs Nurture | Genetics | Biology | FuseSchool. Fuse School, 27 Aug. 2019, youtu.be/EmctxRcmloc.
Zovko, Marie-Elise. Platonism and Forms of Intelligence. Germany, De Gruyter, 2012.
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