Intelligence is inherited but it needs to be nurtured.

Intelligence to I.Q Test

Intelligence refers to all-around effectiveness of an individual’s mental processes, particularly his or her comprehension; learning and recall; and thinking and reasoning capacities. Because no one can observe or measure the mind as such one can only infer a person’s intelligence from his or her behavior in various situations. Initially, intelligence was conceived of as innate brain power –that which distinguishes the more highly evolved animals from simpler organisms, and geniuses from average persons. Scientists now realize that the development of intelligence, although partially determined by heredity, also depends on the stimulating or suppressing character of the environment in which an individual is reared.

Originally, intelligence was also conceived of as a unitary power or faculty of the mind. Experimental studies have shown that intelligence includes numerous, partially distinguishable factors, such as verbal, spatial, memorizing, and reasoning abilities. Thus it is preferable to think of intelligence as a collection of a large number of highly varied overlapping skills, rather than as a single faculty.

Jean Piaget takes a different point of view, altogether emphasizing the development of children’s mental skills through a series of stages of increasing complexity and rationality. Piaget explores the limitations and growth of young children’s thinking rather than merely measuring intelligence.

It is no longer claimed that the intelligence quotient or IQ remains constant over long period of time. Caution is necessary before using an IQ score to attempt to predict high or low achievement in school or daily life. School achievement depends at least as much on interest, home support, and the quality of instruction as it does on intelligence. Occupational success is even more a matter of personality, opportunity and specialized talents.

Intelligence tests are currently under heavy fire regarding the extent to which they measure genetic or inherited ability as opposed to reflecting the type of upbringing, social background, and education of a person. The tests were originally devised with a view to measuring potential ability, free from influence of wealth and privilege.

The reasonably close IQs of identical twins reared in different homes are taken to demonstrate genetic determinism. The most effective type of stimulation seems to provide by the mothers of such children through playing, talking, and interacting with their babies. Improvements in maternal and infant health and nutrition also play some part. This does not mean that there is any easy recipe for training children to be more intelligent. For example, providing additional schooling may have no lasting effect; and coaching on intelligence tests may raise children’s score without affecting their overall intellectual capabilities.