A group of people is discussing whether the State should invest more money into education. Stuart argues that since intelligence is a highly heritable trait, it is pointless to spend taxpayers' money on educational facilities. With respect to Stuart's comment, which of the following statements is the most ACCURATE?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stuart's argument is too simplistic, as intelligence is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. While heritability estimates for intelligence vary depending on the population studied, it is generally accepted that genetic factors play a more prominent role in affluent social groups with highly supportive environments, while environmental factors play a greater role in disadvantaged groups where there is greater variation in living conditions. Therefore, Stuart's argument that investing in education is pointless based on the premise of high heritability is inaccurate.

A Group of People Is Discussing Whether the State Should