Today i learned that Intelligence is heritable and it was a gut punch knowing my parents.
Can anyone clue me in on how it’s expressed or is it a soft cap?
Are highly hifted children anomalies or is it just a good expression of genes?
In: Biology
Blueprints is a great book on the topic:
**Blueprints: Key Evidence on Genes and Intelligence**
*Blueprints* explores how genetics significantly influence intelligence, supported by multiple lines of scientific evidence:
1. **Heritability Studies**:
– **Twin and Adoption Research**: Identical twins, even when raised apart, show similar IQ levels, indicating a strong genetic basis.
– **Heritability Estimates**: Genetics account for approximately 50-80% of the differences in intelligence among individuals, with this influence growing from childhood into adulthood.
2. **Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)**:
– **Genetic Variants**: Numerous genetic markers linked to intelligence have been identified, each contributing a small effect.
– **Polygenic Scores**: Combining these genetic factors can predict aspects of an individual’s cognitive abilities, with accuracy improving as more data becomes available.
3. **Gene-Environment Interactions**:
– **Environmental Influence**: Factors like education and socioeconomic status can enhance or limit the expression of genetic potential for intelligence.
– **Epigenetics**: Environmental conditions can modify how genes related to cognition are expressed, demonstrating a dynamic interplay between genes and surroundings.
4. **Neurobiological Mechanisms**:
– **Brain Structure**: Genetics affect brain development, including neural connectivity and brain volume, which are linked to intelligence.
– **Synaptic Plasticity**: Genes play a role in the formation and adaptability of synapses, essential for learning and memory.
5. **Longitudinal and Cross-Cultural Evidence**:
– **Stability Over Time**: Genetic influences on intelligence remain consistent throughout a person’s life.
– **Cultural Consistency**: Genetic impacts on intelligence are observed across diverse populations, despite different environmental contexts.
*Blueprints* concludes that intelligence is largely shaped by genetic factors, while also recognizing the essential role of the environment in developing cognitive abilities. The book highlights the complex relationship between our genetic makeup and the environments we navigate, emphasizing that both elements work together to shape intelligence.
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