Critically Review Evidence Genetic Environmental Influences Intelligence

Genetic and Environmental Influences to Intelligence
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Human intelligence has remained one of the most examined human behavioral traits. It has influenced investigation in numerous fields not just in the behavioral sciences but also in economics, genetics, and neuroscience. Human cognition represents a variety of higher mental functions like attention, perception, and memory (Gain, 2018, p. 4). Over the past decades, large data sets have been taken from twins and family members for the study of the genetic and environmental etiology for the variances in cognitive ability. More recently, the improvements in genotyping and DNA sequencing have facilitated the particular genetic variants essential for intelligence to the examined (Lowe and Reddy, 2015, p. 1432). The influence of genetics and environment on intelligence has remained one of the most controversial subjects. The assumption that genetics and environment influence human intelligence is held a majority of scientists although there is a disagreement on the degree of influence each contributes. Whereas the arguments for genetic influences are convincing, there is also growing evidence that the impact of the environment is significant and substantial. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the influence of both genetics and environment on human intelligence.
There has been a shift in behavioral sciences that has led to a balanced view that recognizes the critical role of both nature and nurture in the development of individual differences in behavior. Genetic research has established genetic influence while behavioral genetic research has provided evidence of the importance of environmental influences on intelligence. The quality of human brain development is not just dependent on genetic endowment but also on environmental factors. Both genetics and environment may exercise their influences using a number of possible methods. Firstly, both genetic and environmental aspects may apply an unceasing influence since the time of inception (Tucker‐Drob, 2012, p. 252). The method indicates that the same genetic and environmental variables account for stability, probably with factors dependent on age. Secondly, both elements may be specified at a given age and affect cognition at that age only. Variation in mental growth may be because of age-related reasons. Finally, there could be a simplex-like connection in the effects of the two factors. Here, the effects are specific to a particular age, and there could be transition effects from one age to the successive age. Influences from earlier occasions may be transmitted to the next occasions.
Evidence of both genetic and environmental stimuluses on intelligence exists. Regarding the impact of genetics on cognitive ability, twin studies have demonstrated that identical twins Intelligence-Quotients (IQ) are more similar compared to those of fraternal twins (Oommen, 2015, p. 1). Additionally, siblings who have grown up together in the same home have IQ’s that more alike than those of adopted children who have grown in the same household. About environmental influences of intelligence, evidence shows that identical twins who have grown up apart have IQ’s...