3B Self: Developmental Psychology

Question 1

Define nature and describe what would be the case if intelligence was based on nature

Answer 1

• Nature: the genetic inheritance which an individual receives from their parents
• If intelligence is based upon nature, there is nothing we can do to exceed our levels of intelligence, only possess what has been inherited

Question 2

Define nurture and describe what would be the case if intelligence was based on nurture

Answer 2

• Nurture: the environment which an individual is immersed in (upbringing, schooling, social interaction etc.)
• If intelligence is based on nurture, our potential can be maximised through a stimulating and healthy environment

Question 3

Define intelligence according to Weschler

Answer 3

• Intelligence: the global capacity to act purposefully, think rationally and deal effectively with the environment

Question 4

Describe a common measure of intelligence

Answer 4

• Intelligence Quotient score (IQ): a numerical score created by comparing one’s mental age with their chronological age
• Number of tasks designed to measure how smart an individual is in areas such as logical thinking, working with numbers and memorisation
• Does not measure social or emotional intelligence

Question 5

What is the IQ score which is considered as the benchmark for mental retardation?

Answer 5

• IQ of 70 or below, where 2.5% of the population possess an IQ in this range

Question 6

What is the difference between identical and fraternal twins?

Answer 6

• Identical twins are developed from the same fertilised egg that has been split in half, possessing the same genes and inherited material
• Fraternal twins develops from separate eggs fertilised by separate sperm, which develop in the womb at the same time, sharing approx. 50% of genes (same as any other siblings)

Question 7

Explain Sandra Scarr’s (1992) twin study

Answer 7

• Indicated that while heredity played a role in determining the degree of extraversion/introversion, it played a bigger role in determining the individual’s level of intelligence

Question 8

Explain Thomas Bouchard’s (1990) twin study

Answer 8

• Found sets of twins from around the world who had been separated in infancy and raised apart
• Results showed that identical twins raised apart still showed similarities to one another
• IQ’s weren’t as similar as those identical twins raised together, but were still more similar than that of fraternal twins raised together
• Showed how heredity makes a relatively strong contribution to IQ scores

Question 9

Explain Denise Daniels & Robert Plomin’s (1985) adoption study

Answer 9

• Conducted a longitudinal adopting study where they tested the shyness vs. sociability of adopted children at 12 & 24 months to see whether they were more like their adoptive mothers or biological mothers
• Family environment play important role in dev. of shyness
• Results showed that toddlers whose adoptive mothers were unusually shy showed above average shyness at age 2

Question 10

Explain ‘another study’ which shows the importance which both nature and nurture play in the role of determining level of intelligence.

Answer 10

• Researchers followed children of two groups of mothers, being of low IQ and high IQ, who were adopted by parents of above average income and education
• Results showed that children of biological mothers with low IQ who were adopted by high educated family scored above average on IQ tests (benefitted from having advantaged home life)
• Also showed that children of biological mothers with high IQ scored higher
• Shows how both nature and nurture play important role in development of intelligence