Is a persons intelligence genetic ?

[Darkgsp]

Why are some people so much "smarter" than others. Is it a genetic thing that is inherited from the persons parents, the luck of the "genetic lottery" or is it something we just develop over our lives. Through study and life circumstances .

We all have met people that seem to pick up things incredibly fast compared to others. Seemingly with very little effort and in a short time, heck there is probably something you are very good at naturally but why is this ?

 

[Etherized]

Part of it is genetic, part of it is environmental

 

[RagingBeringola]

There are several different "intelligences", some are inherited, others can be build up during one's life.

For Einstein-type of intelligence, history has not been kind with the offspring of known geniuses

 

[AGGAMEMNON66]

Part of it is genetic, part of it is environmental

^This.



It's a combination of things.

 

[Kanuck99]

How intelligent is a neurosurgeon if you stick him out in the middle of bum fuck nowhere with nothing but a pack of matches?

 

[BisexualMMA]

40% genetics
15% environment
90% is half sherdog experience

 

[DragRacer]

From what I’ve learned both academically and anecdotally, intelligence is mostly genetic.

However while environmental conditions can profoundly affect a persons IQ to the downside , the upside is going to be more biologically limited.

 

[TTech]

My neighbours are two brothers, great guys. One is as near a genious as Ive ever know and the other is normal, actually had quite a few problems in school in subjects like math and such. The other, it was boring to him, kids play. Both grew up in exactly the same circumstances. One is now a millionaire tech guy, the other is more "ordinary" and artistic (and quite good at it). But never good at "hard" exact sciences.
But then I guess its also a lot how you define intelligence.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

It's mostly environmental. Genetic potential in meaningless without resources and tools.

 

[Darkgsp]

My neighbours are two brothers, great guys. One is as near a genious as Ive ever know and the other is normal, actually had quite a few problems in school in subjects like math and such. The other, it was boring to him, kids play. Both grew up in exactly the same circumstances. One is now a millionaire tech guy, the other is more "ordinary" and artistic (and quite good at it). But never good at "hard" exact sciences.
But then I guess its also a lot how you define intelligence.

I have seen a fair few cases like this i find it odd

 

[Kanuck99]

It's mostly subjective. Mostly.

 

[Prefect]

Here are two charts that kind of show the correlations to IQ. For the top chart, the parental education level I think is a good indicator of genetics and I suppose priorities. Since all the graphs track upward for greater parental education, you might conclude genetics plays a role. I suppose those that finish college often are more affluent so that is probably baked in as well.
The below chart comparing twin reared apart and together and correlations between parents and foster parents show how much genetics and environment can play. Genetics play a pretty strong role though.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

Not necessarily true some people are more genetically inclined to seek opportunities/ be motivated/not feel overwhelmed. Some people are genetically weak, mentally

That's a myth.

 

[I Am Legion]

I would say mostly genetic. Two parents that are bad at math, usually don’t have Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting.

 

[Higus]

I've seen reports that say it's about 50% genetic when using cases of adopted siblings, separated twins and other controlling factors, but again it all depends on what you consider "intelligence" and the context. A person might have aptitude for computer programming, but would struggle to learn an instrument or be charming with women.

 

[migeru29]

Why are some people so much "smarter" than others. Is it a genetic thing that is inherited from the persons parents, the luck of the "genetic lottery" or is it something we just develop over our lives. Through study and life circumstances .

We all have met people that seem to pick up things incredibly fast compared to others. Seemingly with very little effort and in a short time, heck there is probably something you are very good at naturally but why is this ?

Define intelligence? Because not neuroscientists have a definitive definition just so you know.
If define it by IQ testing? Then I would say that it is pure genetic ability.
That doesn't mean shit anyways, Marilyn Os Savant has the highest IQ and did nothing and his husband Robert Jarvik with an average IQ was one of the pioneers of the development of the artificial heart.

 

[Turtlejuice]

It's a combination of nature and nurture. People will often generalise 2 smart parents having a smart child as genetic, but that fails to acknowledge that 2 smart parents are more likely to nurture their child.

 

[Prefect]

It's a combination of nature and nurture. People will often generalise 2 smart parents having a smart child as genetic, but that fails to acknowledge that 2 smart parents are more likely to nurture their child.

Look at my graphs, the differences between actual parents and foster parents is huge. Identical twins reared apart perform almost the same as each other.

I'll throw this graph at you, too.

 

[migeru29]

Its not
https://www.google.com/amp/s/thecon...y-uncovers-genes-linked-to-intelligence-78120

Environment is a factor but behavior and cognitive function is passed down to offspring

Not a definitive study. It "seems" like and it is just ONE study. Science hypothesis are always temporarily, and not "facts"; you should not use words like "ITS NOT", maybe you can try it "looks like" or "probably is not"

 

[Lubaolong]

Barring some traumatic childhood experience, intelligence will be around 85% attributable to genetics by adulthood.