Is IQ inherited?

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Inheritance of IQ
By: Riya Naik

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 whether the IQ is inherited or is shaped according to the challenges nature asserts. 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 result of the IQ test was the 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 the various challenges they faced and what lead them to choose their respective career paths.






Results:
The above pie diagram demonstrates that 9.1% of the participants got 120 on their IQ test. And 9.7% got 133. 8.8% of the participants got a 120 whereas 7.7% got a 105. 9.3% received a score of 127.

Statistical Representation of Variables affecting the Data
A.                 Variable: Education

B) Variable: Age


Reasoning:
The results demonstrate a conclusive correlation between the IQ of the parent and the offspring. However, the concept of “Nature v Nurture” still influences the results. Every person experiences different situations and develops in response to those situations. IQ also depends upon the level of education. For example, in this survey, many offsprings of the participants are still in school and lack the experience to answer the IQ Test, therefore, the scores can get affected. The environment also is a factor to influence the IQ. For example, a  child who is in a war zone is likely to develop a low IQ. Yet, this survey lays a basis for the answer and it can be suspected that the IQ is inherited as a person develops according to his or her parent’s genes!

Validity:
            As this study had a convenience sample, that is the participants were not randomly chosen and they were easy to reach, this introduces homogeneity1 in the group. Secondly, there was no treatment imposed on the subjects. Moreover, confounding variables like age, education levels, and cultural background were present among the groups. However, the results depict a strong relationship between the variables. Therefore, this study lays a strong basis for answering the question, “Whether IQ is inherited or not” which this forum is aiming to research in the future.

  1. The participants were chosen among the contact circles of this forum which had an excellent educational background; thus, a small sample of the population was being presented


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