Factors influencing

intelligence

Presented by: Shahzeel Khan

Intelligence
Factors influencing intelligence
 Hereditary Factors
• Heredity refers to genetically
transmitted characteristics from
generation to the next
• Heredity provided the physical body
to be developed with certain inherent
capabilities
• Studies of twins and adopted children
together support the idea that there is
a significant genetic contribution to
intelligence.
 Environmental factors

• Environment provides for the

maturation and training of the
organism
• Interplay of both heredity and
environment is essential for
maximum development of the
intellectual abilities of the individual.
 Parental environment: When the
baby/fetus is in mother’s womb
 Postnatal environment: After the
child is born
 Parent-Child interaction
• Parents are the first teachers for the child
• The nature of mental behavioral transactions
between the parents and the child has a critical
influence on his intellectual competence
• Children's intellectual develops is faster when
parents provide emotional security, make the
family environment more supportive, praise the
child's achievement, allow independence,
support the intellectual achievement of children.
 Home Environment
• Home is the first learning institution for the
child during his early years of development.
• Home environment also influences child's
emotions, motivations and beliefs, which are
closely linked with intellectual competence.
 Socioeconomic status (SES)
• Children of the upper socioeconomic strata of the
society are exposed to more intellectual
stimulation, get better social opportunities, and are
nurtured with better nutrition.
• The index of socioeconomic status (SES) is based
on parental education, occupation, and income.
• The higher is the socioeconomic status of the
parents, the higher is the average IQ of children.
 Culture
• Culture will determine the degree of a person’s
attitude and abilities.
• Different cultures foster different patterns of
ability
FOR EXAPMPLE students from Sri Lanka
showed higher score in verbal ability than the
Americans. This can be explained by the fact that
in Sri Lanka, the philosophers and the poets were
admired rather than the scientists or engineers.
 Physiological conditions
The physiological conditions such as:
 Nutrition
 Health
 Drugs,
 Disease
 Physical injury affect the cognitive competence
of the child.
 Physiological conditions
• Poor health and susceptibility to diseases
would retard the growth of brain cells, and
consequently the intellectual skills. The mental
development is associated with biochemical
processes and hormones within the body.
• intoxicating drugs and alcohol consumption
would adversely affect the biological
processes and the development of brain cells.
Thank you