Is exceptional intelligence inherited or acquired during development? It is obviously not one or the other, but a combination of the two. But what is the relative contribution of nature and nurture? And does it work the same in geniuses as it is in people of normal intelligence? Here is an article describing research that suggests that genetics plays a large role in exceptional intelligence, just as it does in normal intelligence.
The influence of genes on exceptional mental ability
A new “mega-analysis” of 11,000 twin pairs, aged between 6 and 71, has helped to plug that gap. The results suggest that genes exert a significant influence on exceptional cognitive ability, similar in magnitude to their influence on the normal range of intelligence. The findings challenge versions of the “discontinuity hypothesis” – the idea that the relative contribution of nature and nurture changes for exceptional ability.
Genetics plays a crucial role in many human abilities. But clearly a need to develop in childhood desired character traits of a child.