Is IQ Inherited?

Abstract:

Genes are crucial for the development of any living organism on the Earth. They contain information which aids in protein synthesis. These proteins are important for the normal functioning of the body. Genes are inherited from the parents through the DNA. The offspring inherits one chromosome from each parent. However, the main question is whether the genes control the inheritance of the way a person thinks. Intelligence Quotient, also known as the IQ, is the measurement of the reasoning skills and intelligence of a person. This experiment was designed to determine whether the IQ is an inherited factor. A parent and an offspring were asked to take an IQ test. The scores were used as a determining factor of whether IQ was inherited.

Introduction:

Intelligence Quotient, or the IQ, is a measurement of the intelligence a person possesses which is used to resolve quotidian complications. The IQ can be determined by taking an IQ test and calculating the score which predicts the personality and future career options. The main question this experiment answers is that whether the IQ is inherited or is shaped according to the challenges nature poses. The central topic of the experiment is based on the ‘Nature v Nurture’ principle in the field of Genetics. To determine the results of the lab, we asked a parent and an offspring to take an IQ test. The study groups included mother and daughter or son pair, a father and son or daughter pairs, and parents with two offsprings. The results of the IQ test were determining factor. If the IQ scores of the parent and the offspring correspond then it can be concluded that the IQ is inherited and if not ‘Nature v Nurture’ can be considered. As other genetic traits are influenced by the environment there are some possibilities that the IQ is influenced by the challenges posed by the environment. A person often faces different situations that might constitute towards the development of the IQ. It can be inferred that due to these different challenging environments people choose different career paths. People surveyed were asked about various challenges they faced and what lead them to choose their respective career paths.