• Question: Why do people develop with varying intelligence?

    Asked by Th3N3rdy0n3 to Alex, Ali, Kerry, Philip, Theo on 17 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Alex Pool

      Alex Pool answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Wow, what a hard question, and as far as I’m aware (but one of the other scientists may know better) is that no one really knows. Intelligence is quite hard to define, or even measure – things like IQ tests are quite crude.

      There is some evidence that genetics plays a role, but it’s not the only factor, with other evidence for education, class, diet, culture and even one study suggesting what order your born in from your brothers and sisters can play a role.

      So it’s definitely not one set thing that makes someone more “intelligent” than someone else.

    • Photo: Philip Ratcliffe

      Philip Ratcliffe answered on 17 Nov 2014:

      Same reason they develop with varying speed, strength, emotional sensitivity, artistic ability etc. etc. We’re all different … fortunately! We’re not made by a machine but by a very complex procedure that assembles (almost) random bits from two parents to make a new person.

    • Photo: Alison Thomson

      Alison Thomson answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      I agree with Alex and Phil.

      The whole ‘nature or nurture’ argument comes in to play here: genetics certainly play a part (so, nature), but the way you’re brought up also plays a huge part (nurture!). If you spend all of your time playing video games and not doing your homework, your intelligence levels just aren’t going to go up at the same rate who does their homework regularly, and stimulates their mind with other activities.

      Diet and amount of sleep also play quite a big part – your brain uses 80% of the energy you get from your food, so you have to make sure you’re eating properly! Also it will function more efficiently if you are getting the right amount of sleep (not too much and not too little!).

      Hope that answers your question!

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