Is intelligence and IQ nature (genetic) or nurture (based on environment)?

Question

Please provide evidence facts

Answer 1

nature, you dont "acquire" talent

Answer 2

both. All experiences and our dna are combined to make us who we are

Answer 3

I can't answer your question because intelligence can't be quantified by any modern means.

IQ can be quantified but, like the SATs, one's IQ is simply the grade of a test, and those who are better at tests, or those who know what's on it will do better.  This doesn't define intelligence, which I think is your goal in asking the question.

Answer 4

both. evidence: you are aware of the kids that have high IQ that is because of their genes. know your IQ and study well in 1 or 2 years and take another IQ test. we all have the gene of being a genius it's just the matter if it is activated or not.

Answer 5

Both are involved, but to what degree and and extent is open to debate.  My personal belief is that while genetics plays a large part, nurture frequently has a greater impact on capability and accomplishment.

There have been a lot of interesting studies done, and as science progresses, the capabilities to measure physiological changes in the brain have increased.

Examples worth noting...it has now been proven that prolonged exposure to violent, abusive conditions can actually change the pathways in the brain and its chemistry to cause a person to react differently to a violent situation than someone who has not had the same exposure.  It has also been shown that people can actually reverse physiological changes in the body relative to specific conditions by retraining the mind, which seems to actually have mechanisms to create new pathways when others are blocked.

This is very interesting, particularly in view of children who have been subjected to abuse during periods of time when their brains were still developing, and in treatment of many illnesses both mental and physical.  

It is well known, for example, that children who are exposed to a second language when they are young are more adept at learning additional languages when they are older.  There seems to be some part of the brain that, when activated at the appropriate developmental stage, enables them to process the various sounds and speech patterns more easily.

Another example that is familiar to many would be post traumatic stress disorder - people often associate the term with war veterans or victims, but may not realize that it is also found in victims of heinous crimes, survivors of natural disasters, and among victims of domestic violence.  Their reactions to "mental triggers" may fall far outside the scope of a "normal" person's reaction because their brain's processing mechanisms have been altered.

So, in theory, as we gain more understanding about the effect of environment on the brain's physiology and function, we will likely see more evidence that nurture has an even greater impact than we now suspect.

I've included a couple of books below that have some interesting info to consider.

Answer 6

It's both.  Anyone who says it's only one or the other isn't considering the big picture.  The nature vs. nurture debate isn't so much "which one is it?" anymore so much as it is "how much does each contribute?"  

The only difference is you can't manipulate genetics, only the environment.

Answer 7

I think i read somewhere that IQ can be learned. I personally think if at a young age, people are exposed a certain environment, it can affect their IQ.

Here is an article about it.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/bein...

Answer 8

Genetic.

Answer 9

mainly nature

Answer 10

I think both.Twins were separated at birth,and both went to get an IQ test,and they both got the SAME EXACT GRADE!So,maybe its nature...