Nature Vs. Nurture In Research

For nearly 150 years, research scientists have studied and debated the origins of human intelligence. The phrase “Nature vs. Nurture” has become the proxy by which scientists and philosophers signal their beliefs: the “nature” argument for those who believe in hereditary origins and the “nurture” position which proposes that environmental factors can influence this human trait (“Intelligence Debate”). Modern theorists, such as Professor Eva Krapol from King’s College and Professor Regina Sullivan of New York University are major proponents of the “nature” and “nurture” position, respectively. These spokespersons continue to advocate vociferously their positions in stark, black and white terms. However, the more rational approach is less stark

A 2014 study by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London looked at General of Secondary Education (GCSE) test scores of 13,306 twins. Comparing the results of identical and non-identical twins, they found that identical twins were likely to have more similar results, and identified that this was down to their genetics rather than the environment (“Intelligence & Nature”). Professor Eva Krapol, of King’s College London said of the research, “What our study shows is the heritability of educational achievement is… the combination of many traits which are all heritable to different extents.” Furthermore, another 2014 study published by the University of California, Los Angeles used brain-imaging scanners to show how intelligence was strongly influenced by the quality of the brain's axons/wiring (“UCLA Intelligence”). These wirings, mainly determined by genetics, send signals throughout the brain to processes information. The stronger the connections, the more naturally intelligent—or at least the probability for more intelligence—would be. A study by East China Normal University in 2013 analyzed the preserved brain of renowned physicist, Albert Einstein, and discovered that his braid contained axons that were thicker than those of normal men (“Einstein’s Genius”). This drives the argument in support of the “nature”