The biological approach in psychology states that behaviour is determined by a genetic component which results in a particular trait or behaviour. A topic area within psychology where this can be investigated is the heritability of IQ, it is suggested that genetic influence is the only factor to consider when investigating IQ, however others have suggested that other factors may play a role in determining IQ.
One way to determine the extent to which genetic influences affect IQ is via twin studies, in these studies monozygotic twins (who share 100% genetic information) are compared with dizygotic twins (who share only 50% genetic information), in both sets of twins the environment is constant, as a result the only factor affecting IQ is the genetics shared, therefore allowing cause and effect to be established. (Tzaskowski 2014) conducted an experiment using 6702 pairs of twins to compare g scores and DNA markers, from the experiment is was found that twins estimated heritability’s increased from 0.35 to 0.48 from ages 7 – 12, this shows that there is a strong genetic link between heritability and IQ from childhood to adulthood.
Although in the experiment there was a large sample the countries the participants were from were all western, this could possibly be why there were moderate correlations found. (Yu Yong
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In addition, the social learning theory suggests that the environment is an important factor to consider as there is a shared environment between the MZ twins and also an unshared environment, therefore this could result in the twins experiencing different stimuli throughout their childhood, this could be an explanation as to why the concordance rates are not 100% as would be expected in MZ
During the procedure researchers desired to acquire as much information as accessible during the one-week visit. The testing consisted of 50 hours of four personality trait scales, three aptitude and occupational interests and two intelligence tests in which each twin had to fulfill. The researcher’s results show that genetic influences resemble to justify for most of the disparities in human characteristics. Bouchard and Lykken have come to the realization that genetic has a major impact on the characteristics of human and that it is no longer a deliberation. Instead ideas must be looked upon to advance. Our clarifications on fundamental views about skills, interest, parenting, education, abilities, and social behavior come from the viewpoint that individual’s knowledge and judgement shape their character and not the genes. Bouchard and Lykken will be the first to contradict with clarifications and propose their own suggestions. Genetic influence mainly drives intellect. These influences contain education, family setting and social class. Also, in Bouchard and Lykken’s findings are some genetic and environmental influence combinations that determine individual
Table 3-1 examines the correlations between selected characteristics for the identical twins separated at birth and the twins raised together. When compared to each other, they both have very similar brain wave activity, blood pressure and heart rate in the physiological characteristics. The Raven intelligence test was very similar, but the WAIS IQ displayed a bit of difference when compared to the other comparisons made. Personality wise, they typically had similar personalities at the same rate as twins raised together. Psychological interests were off a little bit, but still very similar. The twins that were separated at birth had less similar psychological interests compared to the twins
The brain is one of the most complex, unknown organs of the human body. Researchers often break down the characteristics of the brain to whether tendencies are achieved through nurtured environments or the inheritability of genetics. Intelligence is one of the most controversial topics when it comes to deciding whether environment or genetics are most influential. Many argue that intelligence is based on environmental factors and the unique ability to work hard, but fail to realize the essential cognitive qualities concerning what truly defines intelligence. Although some may consider this trait as based on environment, intelligence is a cognitive attribute established by the nature of genetics.
Twin studies are a mainstay of the nature verse nurture debate because they allow researchers to conduct “natural experiments” on human beings. When researchers try to determine the relative importance of genetics and environment with regard to a certain condition, they have a hard time because they cannot generally get people with the same genes. This is where twin studies come in. Twins studies are part of the method used in behaviour genetics, which includes all data that are genetically informative. E.g. siblings, adoptees, pedigree data etc. Researchers use this method to estimate the heritability of traits and to quantify the effect of a person 's shared environment (family) and unique environment (the individual events that shape a life) on a trait.
The nature- nurture debate has many different case studies, which often questions environmental and hereditary aspects of the nature- nurture debate. A tangent which is focused on in this essay is how the case studies of schizophrenia and IQ, specifically affect twin and adoption studies. This essay will firstly, give a brief outline of the nature-nurture debate and the definitions of twin and adoption studies. Secondly, it will illustrate two main case studies, which are IQ and Schizophrenia studies. Thirdly, will contrast and compare the two and research’s impact on the case studies in regards to nature vs. nurture and finally, will conclude with the impact of the nature-nurture debate and twin and adoption studies.
Using the information provided by Belmont and Marolla, Zajonc and Markus proposed the theory that as family size increases, the average intellectual climate of the family decreases. Zajonc and Markus put the data from the Belmont and Marolla study into a table that provided information about the number of children and the average intellectual score for the children. They noticed that in larger families there is somewhat of a leveling off or even an increase in scores for the extreme later-born children. The reason for this increase is because the other siblings start to leave the family and contribute towards the average intellectual climate. Zajonc and Markus also found that twins and triplets performed lower on tests of intelligence than non-twin siblings. Zajonc and Markus didn't try to claim that the only
Twin studies have been a large part of the growing debate on whether genetics or environment (nature v. nature) is responsible for the cognitive, socio-cultural and biological development. In order to properly assess twin studies it is important to know why and how they are relevant in psychology. Identical twins are especially effective in research particularly in the field of developmental psychology and behavioral genetics due to the monozygotic genes which means they originate from a single zygote (fertilized egg) which essentially means they share 100% of the same genes. Due to this exact copy of genes between twins means this can be efficiently be used in order to observe the impact of
Heritability is a statistical estimate of the proportion of the total variance in some trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals within a group. The question for the environment and intelligence is: What kinds of experiences hinder intellectual development and what kinds of environmental “nutrients” promote it? Some of the influences associated with reduced mental ability are: Poor prenatal care, malnutrition, exposure to toxins, and stressful family
In this study, they are used several type of method, one of the technique is used two or more test instrument to ensure the adequate coverage, for example the participants were given a battery of personality and mental ability tests, interest and value inventories and psychomotor tests. In addition, separate of examiners administer the IQ test, life history interview, psychiatric interview and sexual life history interview. The twin also complete questionnaire independently under the constant supervision of the staff members. Twin studies are valuable to researchers because identical twins share 100% of their genes and fraternal twins share, on average, 50% of their genes. Both identical and fraternal twins share certain aspects of their environment (e.g. religious practices in the home). This allows researchers to estimate the heritability of certain traits. Participants are asked about academic ability, personality, and interests; family and social relationships; mental and physical health; physiological measurements. Of interest to researchers are prevalence of psychopathology, substance
Across studies of 10,000 twins, the intelligence test scores of identical twins reared together are virtually as similar as those of the same person taking the same test twice…Likewise, the test scores of identical twins reared separately are similar enough to lead twin researcher Thomas Bouchard (1996) to estimate that ‘about 70 percent’ of intelligence score variation ‘can be attributed to genetic variation. (p. 455)
Nature is inherited features that are coded through genes. Not only do genes code for physical attributes, such as; eye color, hair color, and ear size but genes are also thought to code for behaviors, such as; aggression and depression. Although natures gene coding may have some influence on intelligence I believe it’s to minimal to make a big impact.
The world of Genetics is one that is both fascinating and interesting. When tackling how genetics plays a role in behavior, one must look within the scope of what genetics is before dealing with how it plays a significant role in one’s behavior. Simply put, genetics is the study of genes. It is a biological component within the entire study of biology itself. Scientists who study genetics and perform research do so with the intent to learn more about how genetics affects the overall attitudes, behaviors and dispositions of individuals. It could be said that genetics is somewhat of a psychological-biological science as researchers look at the underlying patterns within the genes that cause
Increasingly, therefore, as noted by psychologist Ann Anastasi from these studies, researchers uphold the idea that nature and nurture are "interactive and interrelated", not "independent and additive" in their impact on human development. In my opinion, I also agree that to a certain extent, the inherent capability of the IQ of an individual is genetically predetermined, but the effects of environmental effects such as opportunity in education and guidance in learning serve extremely important considerations in the individual's final IQ capability.
Human intelligence is an enigma that continues to intrigue scientists around the world as it has done throughout the History of humanity. Scientists and psychologists have been debating the subject of nature versus nurture for centuries. Since 3005 B.C., philosophers like Plato and Aristotle expressed different views on the issue. Plato favoured the belief that knowledge and
Based on the movie “Baby Geniuses“, our team have come up with some supportive ideas by three journals which are “The Relative Effect Of Nature And Nurture Influences On Twin Differences” by Karl J. Holzinger, “ The Origins Of Intelligence In Children” by Jean Piaget, and “Relationship Among Processing Speed, Working Memory, And Fluid Intelligence In Children” by Astrid F. Fry and Sandra Hale. The synopsis of the movie start with Dr. Elena Kinder, CEO of the BabyCo Corporation, has formulated a method of child rearing which is the Kinder method meant to produce exceptionally intelligent children. To demonstrate its superiority, she arranged for a pair of identical twin boys to be born to a surrogate mother. One of these twins, Whit, was adopted by Dr. Kinder's niece, Robin, and raised as a normal child.