Exploring Origin of High IQ
Is Intelligence a Product of Heredity, Environment or Both?
Oct 17, 2008
The origin of intelligence, whether from heredity, environment or both, remains an interesting part of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) issue. This question has confounded scholars and mental health professionals since French psychologist Alfred Binet created the first IQ test in 1902 to identify children with learning disabilities. While some reliable studies prove the case for heredity, other equally reliable studies, make their claims about environment.
A Question of Intelligence
In Daniel Seligman's controversial book, A Question of Intelligence: The IQ Debate in America [Birch Lane Press, 1994], many sensitive subjects surrounding IQ are explored, including how genetics relate to intelligence. The book caused such a stir several years ago that the original publisher feared repercussions in the school market and backed out of the deal after paying the full fee. After that, seven major publishers also declined the manuscript to avoid possible boycotts.
In the question of heredity and environment, Seligman (a Forbes columnist and head of the Human Biodiversity Institute, a eugenics think-tank) sides with heredity. He endorses the theory that intellectual cream rises to the top. He writes: “The connection between IQ and material success is pervasive in American society and apparently in all others. There is, or should be, no real controversy about these statements: On average, the rich are more intelligent than the middle class. And the middle class is more intelligent than the poor.”
You’re Smarter Than You Think
Another book, You’re Smarter Than You Think [Simon & Schuster, 1993], written by Seymour Epstein, a professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts and Archie Brodsky, an associate in psychiatry at Harvard, endorses the environment theory. They say although IQ test scores reflect academic success, they give no indication of how well a person will do in life. According to the book: “Success in life has a lot more to do with your experiential mind, or your practical intelligence, than your intellect.”
The authors describe experiential intelligence as social skills, common sense, problem solving, and coping with emotions, rather than rational intelligence. Experiential intelligence, which develops from relationships and experiences, would therefore not be dictated by heredity and could be elevated to ensure one’s success.
Does IQ Change Over Time?
Most experts agree that IQ changes little during a lifetime. Tests are not exact measuring instruments, and results can fluctuate. However, a person’s IQ generally stays consistent after the age of eight, changing no more than three or four points over time.
The more commonly accepted theory regarding IQ says intelligence is a combination of heredity and environment. A poor environment can stunt a child’s intellectual growth just as bad genes can affect a child’s potential. Combining an enriched environment with good genes should produce a child who will ace an IQ test (128 and over).
Harry Potter Case Study
J.K. Rowling’s gifted wizard Harry Potter represents this age-old struggle between nature and nurture. The son of James (full-blood wizard) and Lily Potter (muggle-born witch), Harry’s genes make him a half-blood as opposed to pure bloods (both wizard parents) and mudbloods (two non-wizard muggle parents). Given his mixed ancestry and that he grew up in an abusive environment with his aunt and uncle, Harry’s gifted wizardry might have gone undiscovered. Yet when his environment becomes enriched through education and friendship at Hogwart’s, his inherent nature thrives to the point of exceeding all other students.
Despite the odds, a gifted child (or wizard) can come from a bad environment and an average or below-average child can come from a good environment because each child is an individual.
For more information about IQ and giftedness, read High IQ Teens at Work and Poetry for Gifted Children.
