Is being stupid genetic?

Question

I mean, there are just some people you come across that just don't seem to be the brightest of the bunch and i don't know if it's the school system. their upbringing or its just fate...

Answer 1

Stupidity is a choice, or a series of choices.

Intellect, the capacity to think and learn and reason is inborn, and can be developed via education, etc.

How bright people are does seem to depend on a number of factors, though.  Some are not the individual's fault, some are.

But we all can seek to do well with what gifts we have.  Unfortunately all too many give up at some point in life and do as little as possible to get by, to not embarrass themselves too much and too often--they drift.

Answer 2

Everyone is born with a certain level of ability to obtain, absorb, comprehend, and analyze information, and his/her ability to do those things varies from subject to subject, so yes, it is genetic.  But unless someone literally has a level of mental retardation, his/her upbringing and education can easily stimulate someone who is not so bright to be a virtual Einstein.  Not to be redundant, but Einstein only had an IQ of about 60 or 65.  And on the same token, some of the most intelligent people in the world never shine because their potential is supressed.

Answer 3

L.O.L Idts it's mostly what you grow up around, but not really genetic.

Answer 4

its about 50-50.

Answer 5

sometimes you can see families that do tend toward stupidity.

Btu you have to consider socio-economic status, nutrition,

education opportunities.

i really hope it isn't fate.

However, i have seen parents who have no aprreciation for education, and they almost always seem to teach this attitude to their kids. A pity, really.

Answer 6

I dont believe there's anyone born stupid. Effort is the essence of learning. The more effort put in the better a person becomes.

This is just my point of view.

Answer 7

It also comes from cousins who marry

Answer 8

huh?

Answer 9

Some book-smart people are "stupid" when it comes to simple things and common sense.  And some not-so-smart people just seem stupid because they don't have an academic history that implies they're smart.  Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.

Answer 10

I don't think it's necessarily genetic, most people are brighter in other areas then others are.  I think it may have to do more with the school system not being able to handle the problem with how to teach the kids who learn differently, the schools only (for the most part) teach one way.  Some people learn by doing, others can sit back sponge it in by listening, and still others learn by seeing it done.  Most teachers I have run across usually teach by speaking which means the people who can learn by listening do really well, which for the most part leaves the others in the dust so to speak.  

As for the upbringing that may come into effect too, but if a person is determined enough they will succeed anyway.

Answer 11

In my extended family there are children that have obtained four year academic scholarships to college who have parents that still cant make change for a dollar. As well as some brilliant parents whos kids have had to repeat more than one year of grade school. Well that only answers part of it. Genetic traits can skip over some generations.

Answer 12

Some people are naturally gift at learning and take to things quickly, where others can struggle and struggle to grasp something and still never fully understand it. It may have to do with their upbringing, but that usually only goes as far as their behaviour.

Oh, and incest has shown to make people's brains not develop correctly, due to similar chromisomes not being changed. This can lead to some important recessive traits being lost, like traits that help with learning and understanding.

Answer 13

lol I have wondered this. some people dont seemed to be playin they really that dumb