Nature vs Nurture The issue of what causes individual
differences in intelligence goes beyond psychology, and involves
moral, political, ethical, educational, social, physiological
and statistical issues to name just a few. The issue of how
differences in intelligence come about between individuals and
groups is a topic of much fascination and controversy - it can
arouse strong reactions and elicit personal beliefs and biases.
In looking for the causes of individual differences in
intelligence, a major issue is the relative contribution of
genetics and environment. Rate the extent to which you believe
nature and nature influence (cause) human intelligence. Warning!
As you learn more about the theory and research on genetic and
environmental influences on human intelligence, you may find
that you change some of your beliefs and assumptions. The
zeitgeist (the intellectual and culture "flavor" of a time and
place) has swung back and forth over time with regard to the
amount of influence that nature vs. nature h