Question

In the spaces on the left, enter the letter Hif the findings suggest that intelligence is shaped by heredity, enter the letter E if the findings suggest that intelligence is shaped by the environment, and enter the letter B if the findings suggest that intelligence is shaped by both (or either) heredity and environment. The answers can be found in Appendix A. __________ Adopted children show similarity to their biological parents (.24) and to their adoptive parents (.24)

Short answer

Based on the findings that adopted children have a 24% correlation with both their biological and adoptive parents, it can be concluded that intelligence is likely to be shaped by both heredity and environment. Therefore, the answer is B (Both heredity and environment).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the findings

First, let's understand the findings given in the exercise. It states that adopted children show a similarity of 0.24 to both their biological and adoptive parents. This means there is a 24% correlation between the intelligence of adopted children and both sets of parents.

Analyzing the heredity factor

Since the adopted children have a similarity of 0.24 to their biological parents, this indicates that some of their intelligence could be attributed to their genetic makeup. This is an evidence that heredity might play a role in shaping their intelligence.

Analyzing the environment factor

On the other hand, the adopted children also share a 0.24 similarity with their adoptive parents. This suggests that environmental factors, such as upbringing and family environment, could also be playing a part in shaping the intelligence of the adopted children.

Concluding the analysis

Based on the findings that adopted children have a 24% correlation with both their biological and adoptive parents, it can be concluded that intelligence is likely to be shaped by both heredity and environment.

Final answer

B (Both heredity and environment)

Key concepts

Genetic Influences on Intelligence

The debate over the sources of intelligence often pivots around the contribution made by genetics. Evidence suggesting a genetic basis for intelligence includes studies on twins, family traits, and the heritability factor.

Research involving identical twins, who share the same genetic makeup, shows higher correlations in IQ scores compared to fraternal twins or other siblings. This points towards a strong genetic component in intelligence. Furthermore, patterns of intelligence often surface within families, hinting that genetic predispositions are at play.

The notion of heritability, which estimates how much of the variation in a trait within a population is due to genetic differences, also underscores the significance of genetics in determining intelligence. Typically, heritability of intelligence is placed at around 50%, indicating that about half of the variance in intelligence scores can be attributed to genetic differences. However, heritability does not measure the proportion of an individual's intelligence that is genetic; it refers to populations and relative influences.

Environmental Factors Affecting Intelligence

The environment in which an individual is raised and lives plays a crucial role in shaping intelligence. Numerous environmental factors like educational opportunities, nutrition, parental involvement, and social interactions all have substantial impacts.

Education quality and access, for instance, are strongly linked with intellectual development. Stimulating educational experiences foster cognitive skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Nutrition, especially in early childhood, can influence cognitive functions and overall brain development.

Parental involvement in a child's learning, such as reading to them and encouraging exploration, can promote intellectual growth. Moreover, the broader social environment, which includes the support received from the community, peer interactions, and exposure to diverse perspectives, contributes to a person's cognitive development.

While genetics provides a framework for potential intelligence, environmental factors can significantly enable or hinder the realization of that potential.

Nature Versus Nurture in Intelligence

The nature versus nurture debate encapsulates the inquiry into whether genetic factors (nature) or environmental aspects (nurture) play a more significant role in the development of intelligence. Neither side exclusively molds intelligence; instead, it is the interplay between both that shapes cognitive abilities.

The case of adopted children often illustrates this complexity. Studies point out that while there are genetic correlations with biological parents, environmental influences from adoptive parents are equally important. A balanced view recognizes that intelligence is not the product of genes or environment alone but an amalgamation.

Modern scientific consensus suggests that both genetic dispositions and environmental conditions interact to influence the expression of intelligence. This interaction can be seen in the concept of 'gene-environment correlation' where one’s genetic makeup may influence the kind of environments they are exposed to, and these environments, in turn, can affect the expression and development of genetic potentials.

Therefore, in the context of the exercise, the finding that adopted children show similarities to both biological and adoptive parents supports the stance that both hereditary and environmental factors contribute to the shaping of intelligence, aligning with the 'B' (Both heredity and environment) choice.