Human Intelligence: Nature vs Nurture - Coursework Example

Nature vs. Nurture Name Course Name and Code Instructors Name Date Introduction The study of human intelligence is an interesting topic; many psychologists have taken different direction in pursuing this interesting subject. Bio-psychologists as well as environmental psychologists are continuously pursuing their course to provide enough understanding with regard to human intelligence. The twin studies have been expansively used to determine the levels to which the genetic and environmental backgrounds have affected human intelligence. The twin studies reveal the absolute and relative significance of genetic and environmental influence on one’s intelligence. Bio-psychological studies have revealed that human intelligence caused and controlled by the tremendous activities of the nervous system. For instance, the thinking, feeling and acting of human beings are controlled and determined by the genes inherited as a result of evolution. The Environmental psychology on the other hand is a holistic and naturalistic approach that examines and studies the adaptations of human beings and other organisms to their environmental settings. This paper conclusively reveal that human intelligence is to a large extend controlled by the genetic composition of an individual coupled with the tremendous activities of the nervous system. This paper sees to make a distinction; is it biology or environment which influences our psychological processes? Biological Approach Human intelligence and experiences from a biological perspective are assumed to be controlled by the tremendous nervous activities of the nervous system of the body (McLeod, 2007). The way human beings think and feel, do and say are said to be caused by the electrochemical actions happening within and between the neurons making up their nervous system specifically those in central nervous system. For instance, many researchers in this area (bio-psychologists) have a singular understanding that the growth in human intelligence is determined by the genes inherited and as such intelligence is highly influenced by genetic factors. Similarly, genes inherited by human beings are as a result of evolution hence bio-psychologists have an assumption that intelligence and psychological traits in human beings have evolutionary accounts. Biological psychologists explain human intelligence by relating the functioning of the brain and the nervous system (McLeod, 2007). For instance, bio-psychology focus on different areas of the brain that are responsible for specific types of intelligence and thinking and the way they are interlinked with other functions of the brain. In this regard for instance, bio-psychologists strongly believe that language in human beings is controlled by the cerebral cortex and Broca’s parts of the brain that control speech and Wernicke’s area that is responsible for the comprehension of the speech (Sammons, 2011). Additionally, these speech centers are linked to myriad sections of the brain including those tasked with thinking and auditory working memory. Accordingly, other bio-psychologists center their studies on the role of genetic influence with regard to specific types of intelligence. Following this, some bio-psychologists strongly believe psychological disorder like schizophrenia is to a certain degree as a result of inheritance of fault gene or genes; those genes specifically responsible for formation and development of the nervous system (Sammons, 2011). These faulty genes are the ones vulnerable to malfunctioning and thus producing the symptoms of schizophrenia like delusion, hallucination, and disorganized thinking. Consequently, bio-psychologists also believe that human intelligence and intelligence are influenced by the chemical processes in the brain (Sammons, 2011). It is evident that, the brain depends and relies on various chemical processes of neurons and hormones to send and receive different signals. If these chemicals are released in excess or in minimal quantities than expected may result into over- or under-activity in numerous parts of the brain that ultimately will have impact on the thinking, feeling and the general intelligence. Through research for instance, bio-psychologists have established how intelligence can be affected by different levels of sex hormones; an increase in testosterone for instance, results into increased risk-taking characteristics while an elevation in Oxytocin leads to nurturing and social responsive behavior (McLeod, 2007). The current twin studies have established that human intelligence is largely influenced by the genetic composition of that individual. Considerably, the different levels of intelligence as exhibited by people (Intelligence quotient) are also influenced by genes. In this regard, it is evident that different genes have different effect on one’s intelligence. Some of these genes are inheritable while others are nurtured or inhibited the environment within which an individual is exposed to for extended periods of time. The behavioral geneticists to a large extend use twin studies to unravel the environmental and genetic background of an individual to understand his/her traits for example aggression, intelligence, schizophrenia and or alcohol dependence. This approach is given strong validity and reliability mainly because of the scientific credibility that focuses on objectivity, observable and quantifiable results (Sammons, 2011). The use of expanded research on twin studies has established that human traits and intelligence are a make of one’s genetic composition (Winerman, 2004). The activities of the nervous system are the ones that enable a person to be aware of where he is, what he is doing, and what effects the surrounding environment has on him. Without the these immense and tremendous activities of the nervous system human beings could not be able to understand their environment and what they ought to do in order to make their lives comfortable (Winerman, 2004). Environmental Approach The physical environment is something that human beings cannot do without and hence environmental psychology deals with the study of how the environment affects human intelligence (Berry, 2010).. It is important to note that environmental psychology do not deal with or emphasize on the interactional aspect of people which is subject to other divisions of psychology. This method follows the systems approach that is currently the commonly used approach in several branches of science. It is said to be a holistic and naturalistic approach that examines and studies the adaptations of human beings and other organisms to their environmental settings. In this essence, human beings and other organisms are studied as part of an ecosystem and thus the balance and interdependence of organisms and their environment is vital (Berry, 2010).. Behavioral geography is a field that is tasked with studying the cognitive maps of a person in relation to his or her environment. This study reflects on the environmental meanings, values and references (Baum, Singer, & Valins, (2009). These maps are prepared linking human activities to his surroundings; they are in most cases drawn for exploratory of ones intelligence, behavior, and neighborhood feelings. Various studies have been conducted to relate environmental preferences to personality characteristic, race and national character (Baum, Singer, & Valins, (2009) Environmental psychologists have hypothesized that intelligence at different levels is highly influenced by the environment; for instance a person’s immediate behavior is as a result of the environment in which it occurs (Berry, 2010). In this perspective, the intellectual make up of a person in a certain environment is shaped and molded by nature and type of environment he/she is subjected to for substantial period of time. For example, the racial differences in intelligence can be traced to the influence of distinct environmental conditions to which people or different individuals have been exposed to for generations (Baum, Singer, & Valins, (2009) Following the above discussion, it is evident that climatic and weather conditions have impact on people’s temperament. For example, people exposed to cold climatic conditions feel insecure. Environmental psychologists believe that freezing climatic conditions forces people to work continuously in order to keep warm. Consequently, individuals living under such conditions plan a head; for instance, they hoed food and firewood, they make warm clothes and footwear in preparation for the winter. The environments that are hostile to human beings mould their behavior; they make people aggressive and this aggressiveness propagates artificial moral control. Individuals from these kind of environments develop linear intelligence and hence they are practical, they compete for resources, manipulation and exploitation is a common thing to them (Baum, Singer, & Valins, (2009). The tremendous improvement in technology and other aspects of life are as a result of environmental constrains to human beings. Contrastingly, people living in warm environments are characterized by inertia and laziness. In hot environments people are compelled not to work continuously due to perspiration coupled with fatigue (Augustin, 2009). Consequently, the seasons in these environments hardly change and resource exploitation is throughout the year. In this regard, individuals living under such environmental conditions surrender everything to it and the approach to the environment is characterized by fear and superstition. People living in moderate climatic conditions are characterized by their awareness of oneself and the relationship of the environment to one’s adjustment. In this regard people tend to live in harmony with their surrounding (Berry, 2010). At this point the insight particularly into the function of the environment in personal well-being leads to personal drive and urge to conserve the natural environment. The temperament of individuals in this environment is holistic, intuitive and balanced. In accordance with the above explanation, every person or animal is comfortable and at home in his natural environment and when exposed to environmental setting different from the natural, his/her intelligence is bound to change (Nevid, 2008). It is evident that people have behavioral needs that are fully aligned to their environment or natural habitats (Augustin, 2009). In captivity or if an individual is deprived the opportunity to fulfill his needs, he/she will exhibit signs or symptoms of starvation. Taking caged animals for instance, they show abnormal symptoms and behavior like compulsion regardless of the fact that they are provided with enough food (Nevid, 2008). Conclusion To sum up the above discussion human, intelligence is to a large extend affected the genetic formation. The environment although plays an important role in molding or nurturing one’s intelligence it is not or rather cannot be relied on to determine or understand human intelligence. The twin studies have extensively conducted various studies have established that human intelligence as a result of the genetic composition of that individual. Considerably, the different levels of intelligence as exhibited by people (Intelligence quotient) depend wholly on the genes. The biological studies are reliable and valid due to their scientific credibility and hence it is the ideal method for determining human intelligence. Although, the environmental psychology studies the person in his holistic and natural perspective taking into account his personalities and relationship with others, it does not completely reveal or establish how the person becomes aware of the environment or the people he or she is relating with. References Augustin, S. (2009). Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture. New York: John Wiley & Sons Baum A., Singer J E and Valins S (Eds) (2009) Advances in Environmental Psychology: Vol I - The Urban Environment: New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Berry J W (2010) Ecological and cultural factors in spatial perceptual development; In: Environmental psychology (Eds) Proshansky H M, Ittelson W H and Rivlin L G. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York: John Wiley & Sons McLeod, S. A. (2007). Biological Psychology. Retrieved on 16/5/2013, from; http://www.simplypsychology.org/biological-psychology.html Nevid, S. J. (2008). Psychology: Concepts and Applications. Washington: Cengage Learning Sammons, A. (2011). The biological approach: the basics. Retrieved on 16/5/2013, from; http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/newResources/approaches/AS_AQB_approaches_BiopsychologyBasics.pdf Winerman, L. (2004) A second look at twin studies. Retrieved on; 20/5/2013, from; http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr04/second.aspx Read More

Accordingly, other bio-psychologists center their studies on the role of genetic influence with regard to specific types of intelligence. Following this, some bio-psychologists strongly believe psychological disorder like schizophrenia is to a certain degree as a result of inheritance of fault gene or genes; those genes specifically responsible for formation and development of the nervous system (Sammons, 2011). These faulty genes are the ones vulnerable to malfunctioning and thus producing the symptoms of schizophrenia like delusion, hallucination, and disorganized thinking.

Consequently, bio-psychologists also believe that human intelligence and intelligence are influenced by the chemical processes in the brain (Sammons, 2011). It is evident that, the brain depends and relies on various chemical processes of neurons and hormones to send and receive different signals. If these chemicals are released in excess or in minimal quantities than expected may result into over- or under-activity in numerous parts of the brain that ultimately will have impact on the thinking, feeling and the general intelligence.

Through research for instance, bio-psychologists have established how intelligence can be affected by different levels of sex hormones; an increase in testosterone for instance, results into increased risk-taking characteristics while an elevation in Oxytocin leads to nurturing and social responsive behavior (McLeod, 2007). The current twin studies have established that human intelligence is largely influenced by the genetic composition of that individual. Considerably, the different levels of intelligence as exhibited by people (Intelligence quotient) are also influenced by genes.

In this regard, it is evident that different genes have different effect on one’s intelligence. Some of these genes are inheritable while others are nurtured or inhibited the environment within which an individual is exposed to for extended periods of time. The behavioral geneticists to a large extend use twin studies to unravel the environmental and genetic background of an individual to understand his/her traits for example aggression, intelligence, schizophrenia and or alcohol dependence.

This approach is given strong validity and reliability mainly because of the scientific credibility that focuses on objectivity, observable and quantifiable results (Sammons, 2011). The use of expanded research on twin studies has established that human traits and intelligence are a make of one’s genetic composition (Winerman, 2004). The activities of the nervous system are the ones that enable a person to be aware of where he is, what he is doing, and what effects the surrounding environment has on him.

Without the these immense and tremendous activities of the nervous system human beings could not be able to understand their environment and what they ought to do in order to make their lives comfortable (Winerman, 2004). Environmental Approach The physical environment is something that human beings cannot do without and hence environmental psychology deals with the study of how the environment affects human intelligence (Berry, 2010).. It is important to note that environmental psychology do not deal with or emphasize on the interactional aspect of people which is subject to other divisions of psychology.

This method follows the systems approach that is currently the commonly used approach in several branches of science. It is said to be a holistic and naturalistic approach that examines and studies the adaptations of human beings and other organisms to their environmental settings. In this essence, human beings and other organisms are studied as part of an ecosystem and thus the balance and interdependence of organisms and their environment is vital (Berry, 2010).. Behavioral geography is a field that is tasked with studying the cognitive maps of a person in relation to his or her environment.

This study reflects on the environmental meanings, values and references (Baum, Singer, & Valins, (2009).

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