The running debate in psychology has been whether genetics or environment influence a person to a greater degree than the other. There have been numerous studies done on this subject. In his article, “Environment and Genes,” Robert Plomin presents some research that has been conducted on this subject. This paper will present some reactions to the article and the various studies that are mentioned.
More data has been collected on IQ than any other trait. The studies presented in the article regarding IQ suggest that genetic effects on IQ are increased during childhood and into adulthood, “Results of these two studies indicate that genetic influence on IQ increases substantially during childhood. The latter study suggests that genetic effects on IQ during early childhood correlate highly with genetic effects on adult IQ,” (Plomin, 1989: 106). It is easy for me to agree with the results because some people just seem preconditioned for success. Although I do think that even if you are not predisposed by genetics to be intelligent you could work throughout your childhood and test for a higher IQ when you are an adult.
The testing that is done on creativity, “show less genetic influence than any other dimension within the cognitive domain,” (Plomin, 1989: 106). These results are somewhat surprising in the face of the other data on IQ that suggest that genetics play a large role in cognitive skills. This may lead us to believe that creativity, although a cognitive function, may be mostly influenced by environment. Some reasons this may be is because sometimes being creative is an outlet for an emotional feeling. If a person is too content to be creative he or she may never feel the need to use this cognitive ability and therefore may not have developed the ability to be creative.
The tests on academic achievement and vocational interests show that genetics play an important role in both of these developme...