Nature Vs Nurture Research Paper
Intelligence: Nature of Nurture
University of Phoenix
Irene Ramirez
Adolescent Development
July, 2014
Abstract
Intelligence and its definition as well as what determines and influences intelligence could be complicated. In most cases, it depends on each individual and their concept of intelligence. Many people dealing with this subject may have questioned whether intelligence is based on nature; meaning generic, or if intelligence can be developed. According to the Webster’s Dictionary the definition of intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.
What defines intelligence? How do individuals acquire the ability to apply …show more content…
Throughout the history of the debate, there has been no clear conclusion to the dispute; yet, there are many hypotheses. Both sides/opinions of this controversy, namely ‘nature’ camp and ‘nurture’ camp, have been explored thoroughly among researchers, and overwhelming evidence has been found in the favor of both hypotheses. The ‘nature’ side of the debate argues for a hereditary view of the phenomenon of intelligence: that a person maintains his mental ability solely based on what he is born with genetically. Defending this side of the debate exclusively would be establishing that a person’s environment plays no role in determining his mental aptitude. Conversely, the nurture camp argues that a person’s environment plays a large role in his mental aptitude.” (macalester.edu. …show more content…
In a way, the ‘nature’ theory takes things a step further to say that more abstract traits, including intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation, are also encoded in an individual 's DNA. There are some very obvious reasons for an individual to be convinced that genetics play a large part in a person’s intelligence. When considering the biology of heredity, it is obvious that genes provide humans with their own physical equipment, which is in essence, their basis. Genes and chromosomes are passed on from each generation to the next. Therefore, without heredity, humans would have nothing to pass on biologically to their offspring; hence the environmentalist idea of genetics being purposeless is clearly incorrect.” ( macalester.edu.
University of Phoenix
Irene Ramirez
Adolescent Development
July, 2014
Abstract
Intelligence and its definition as well as what determines and influences intelligence could be complicated. In most cases, it depends on each individual and their concept of intelligence. Many people dealing with this subject may have questioned whether intelligence is based on nature; meaning generic, or if intelligence can be developed. According to the Webster’s Dictionary the definition of intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.
What defines intelligence? How do individuals acquire the ability to apply …show more content…
Throughout the history of the debate, there has been no clear conclusion to the dispute; yet, there are many hypotheses. Both sides/opinions of this controversy, namely ‘nature’ camp and ‘nurture’ camp, have been explored thoroughly among researchers, and overwhelming evidence has been found in the favor of both hypotheses. The ‘nature’ side of the debate argues for a hereditary view of the phenomenon of intelligence: that a person maintains his mental ability solely based on what he is born with genetically. Defending this side of the debate exclusively would be establishing that a person’s environment plays no role in determining his mental aptitude. Conversely, the nurture camp argues that a person’s environment plays a large role in his mental aptitude.” (macalester.edu. …show more content…
In a way, the ‘nature’ theory takes things a step further to say that more abstract traits, including intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation, are also encoded in an individual 's DNA. There are some very obvious reasons for an individual to be convinced that genetics play a large part in a person’s intelligence. When considering the biology of heredity, it is obvious that genes provide humans with their own physical equipment, which is in essence, their basis. Genes and chromosomes are passed on from each generation to the next. Therefore, without heredity, humans would have nothing to pass on biologically to their offspring; hence the environmentalist idea of genetics being purposeless is clearly incorrect.” ( macalester.edu.