Is IQ inherited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:regression to the mean- I've never heard of reversion to the mean.
IQ is heritable and genetic. I say this as an intelligent woman with an intelligent son-- don't underestimate the power of strong executive function. I've seen some people who I frankly do not think are as smart as I am get further professionally and even academically- focus, hard work, organizational skills, and leadership skills can take a person far in life.

I wanted to follow this up- we were at the library this week and I saw a kid (he looked around nine) being tutored for reading. From what I could see, without blatant eavesdropping, he was attentive and mature. No, I don't know why he was having difficulties with a basic skill, but I was so impressed with his behavior. My own son who has had no discernible academic struggles, falls apart when he doesn't instantly comprehend. I belong to a couple of forums for gifted kids- it seems to be common for high intellect children to get easily frustrated by mistakes and challenges.

Interesting. I had no idea of this. My son is exactly the same way and we've been wondering how to address it. I think it's because everything comes so easily for him that if he can't do something correct immediately (and fast) he gets really upset, shuts down and won't try. Any tips on how to address it? One thing that I've been trying to move away from is people (his teachers, in particular) telling him he's "smart". I think he gets upset because he has taken this to heart and thinks that means he should be able to do things perfectly and gets annoyed when he can't. We praise him for achievements rather than innate intelligence.

In Nurtureshock by Po Bronson there is a chapter on just this topic. Telling smart kids they are smart is very counterproductive, because they take it as hype and setting high expectations they may fail in future. Focus on skill building and recognizing work done.

[Anonymous]

When the PP talks about revision to the mean, he is leaving out that the mean of very high IQ people is higher than average. Their mean is not the average mean. So two IQ parents +140 will perhaps revert to a mean of IQ 125 -- still smart.

[Anonymous]

This thread seems to be started and about parents who are wondering if their DCs are high IQ. Might be better to use the google function and check out gifted behaviors. The inheritance has already happened if your DC is 4 years old.

[Anonymous]

Is anybody truly just looking at their kid and saying: "well, we are not super bright so this kid won't be either, let's not waste on him the best education and opportunities we can offer him..." or highly inteligent parents differentiating between their children and giving the "bright" one extra challenges, because well why waste a good education on the "average" one?
I do think genetics play a high role in your offspring's IQ, but I can't believe it should affect how you educate them. Is anyone really "planning accordingly"?

[Anonymous]

There's an important caveat about heritability. The AVERAGE heritability of IQ across studies is about 50% (based on twin and adoption studies).

BUT, and this is an important but... heritability has been shown to be moderated by socioeconomic status. What this means is that if you take high SES groups, heritability is quite high (~70%), whereas if you sample low SES groups, heritability is pretty low (~25%). In other words, once you have a certain level of resources (nutrition, schooling, opportunities), then genetics matter quite a bit. But in the context of environmental strain (low SES environment), then the plusses and minuses in the environment (nutrition, schooling, opportunities) matter a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the PP talks about revision to the mean, he is leaving out that the mean of very high IQ people is higher than average. Their mean is not the average mean. So two IQ parents +140 will perhaps revert to a mean of IQ 125 -- still smart.

''

Not trying to be rude, but you don't seem to understand the concept.

[Anonymous]

NP here. I enjoyed reading PP's post from Wikipedia concerning reversion to the mean. I immediately thought of a family from my hometown. I went to school with two kids who were considered slow. Very slow. They found each other and married. We all cringed, wondering what their family would become.

Well, their 3 daughters are incredibly intelligent. I don't know if any of them is a genius, per se, but they are all above-average. It's amazing to watch and see those 3 kids throughout town, since everybody had written off their parents.

So it was interesting to realize that reversion to the mean works both ways. Any extreme characteristic of a parent will be reduced a bit towards average. Two extreme parents, on either side of intelligence, could end up with very different kids.

Thanks DCUM! I learned something today!

[Anonymous]

I think it's highly heritable, but like any trait modulated by multiple genes, it's not a "straight" heritability. Heck, even eye color and hair color have been shown to be influenced by the expression of multiple genes.

My dad was very bright (no idea what his IQ is), my mother is of slightly above-average intelligence.

Sibling 1 is above average.
I have a genius-level IQ.
Sibling 3 has almost a perfectly average IQ.

All three of us had similar advantages (economically and educationally) growing up. We're all doing well, though both sibling 1 and I went on to grad school and have more lucrative careers than sibling 3 (who is still very fulfilled in a professional career). I think we're all about equally happy in life. Other than the fact that I got full academic scholarships to every post-secondary school I attended (and essentially perfect grades and test scores), I don't know that my IQ provided me with any huge advantage over my sibling with a solidly above-average IQ. Like another PP, I have found that even people who are closer to average can be tremendously successful, and that leadership ability, drive, and focus are generally more important than raw brainpower when it comes to career success. I think those traits, coupled with a very high IQ, could be the formula for greatness...but I do think it's rare you'll find someone who really does have all those traits PLUS a genius-level IQ. When you do, you get a Nikola Tesla; when you just have leadership, drive, and focus, you get a Thomas Edison. But when you just have a genius-level IQ without those other positive traits -- you get a frustrated genius who's likely to be angry with the world and not capable of achieving much.

I know I'll be working hard to instill my children with as many culturally "beneficial" traits as possible, regardless of their IQs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's highly heritable, but like any trait modulated by multiple genes, it's not a "straight" heritability. Heck, even eye color and hair color have been shown to be influenced by the expression of multiple genes.

My dad was very bright (no idea what his IQ is), my mother is of slightly above-average intelligence.

Sibling 1 is above average.
I have a genius-level IQ.
Sibling 3 has almost a perfectly average IQ.

All three of us had similar advantages (economically and educationally) growing up. We're all doing well, though both sibling 1 and I went on to grad school and have more lucrative careers than sibling 3 (who is still very fulfilled in a professional career). I think we're all about equally happy in life. Other than the fact that I got full academic scholarships to every post-secondary school I attended (and essentially perfect grades and test scores), I don't know that my IQ provided me with any huge advantage over my sibling with a solidly above-average IQ. Like another PP, I have found that even people who are closer to average can be tremendously successful, and that leadership ability, drive, and focus are generally more important than raw brainpower when it comes to career success. I think those traits, coupled with a very high IQ, could be the formula for greatness...but I do think it's rare you'll find someone who really does have all those traits PLUS a genius-level IQ. When you do, you get a Nikola Tesla; when you just have leadership, drive, and focus, you get a Thomas Edison. But when you just have a genius-level IQ without those other positive traits -- you get a frustrated genius who's likely to be angry with the world and not capable of achieving much.

I know I'll be working hard to instill my children with as many culturally "beneficial" traits as possible, regardless of their IQs!

Like the Unibomber. ITA PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the PP talks about revision to the mean, he is leaving out that the mean of very high IQ people is higher than average. Their mean is not the average mean. So two IQ parents +140 will perhaps revert to a mean of IQ 125 -- still smart.

''

Not trying to be rude, but you don't seem to understand the concept.

I understand the concept. But when you compare very large numbers (the whole population) to very small numbers, the immediate family and relatives, the whole thing is just meaningless mumbo jumbo. But it sounds "smart" Smart people have been marrying smart people and having smart children for a VERY long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody truly just looking at their kid and saying: "well, we are not super bright so this kid won't be either, let's not waste on him the best education and opportunities we can offer him..." or highly inteligent parents differentiating between their children and giving the "bright" one extra challenges, because well why waste a good education on the "average" one?
I do think genetics play a high role in your offspring's IQ, but I can't believe it should affect how you educate them. Is anyone really "planning accordingly"?

We are planning accordingly. Both our children are very bright -- just like their parents. Yes, we are planning accordingly. They are both gifted and getting them a very good education has been a priority. Thankfully both at Ivies with scholarships so we can breathe a sigh of relief.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't you just plan to live frugally enough to give your child the best education you can, regardless of their IQ? It isn't as if you are going to get a less-good nanny, or read fewer books, or decide the so-so school is just fine if your kid has an average IQ. So the premise of your question is flawed, regardless of what you think of the validity of IQ. Each child is precious, each child is worth a fabulous education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the PP talks about revision to the mean, he is leaving out that the mean of very high IQ people is higher than average. Their mean is not the average mean. So two IQ parents +140 will perhaps revert to a mean of IQ 125 -- still smart.

''

Not trying to be rude, but you don't seem to understand the concept.

I understand the concept. But when you compare very large numbers (the whole population) to very small numbers, the immediate family and relatives, the whole thing is just meaningless mumbo jumbo. But it sounds "smart" Smart people have been marrying smart people and having smart children for a VERY long time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anybody truly just looking at their kid and saying: "well, we are not super bright so this kid won't be either, let's not waste on him the best education and opportunities we can offer him..." or highly inteligent parents differentiating between their children and giving the "bright" one extra challenges, because well why waste a good education on the "average" one?
I do think genetics play a high role in your offspring's IQ, but I can't believe it should affect how you educate them. Is anyone really "planning accordingly"?

We are planning accordingly. Both our children are very bright -- just like their parents. Yes, we are planning accordingly. They are both gifted and getting them a very good education has been a priority. Thankfully both at Ivies with scholarships so we can breathe a sigh of relief.

Ivy League schools do not give scholarships.