Critically consider the role of genetic factors in the development of measured intelligence.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Critically consider the role of genetic factors in the

development of measured intelligence.

Genetic factors are a major influence on the development of measured intelligence. However, extensive research suggests that genetic factors alone cannot account for a person's intelligence. Research evidence suggests that a person's intelligence isn't 'fixed' from birth, but environmental and social factors can cause an increase in intelligence.

The importance of genetic factors in intelligence is exemplified in family resemblance studies. This involves examining the correlation of intelligence test scores among people who vary in genetic similarity. If genetic factors influence IQ then the closer the genetic relationship between two people, then the greater the correspondence rate (concordance) between their IQ's should be. In Bouchard and Mcgue's worldwide review of 111 studies, they found the closer the genetic relationship between individuals the higher the correspondence of IQ scores. For example the correlation for cousins (who share 12.5 % of their genes) is weaker than that for parents and offspring who share 50 % of their genes. The strongest Correlation is for Monozygotic twins (identical twins) who share the same genes.Therefore,these findings suggest that genetic factors play a key role in measured intelligence.