Peter is very precocious. At four he is already starting to read and has the vocabulary of a ten-year-old. Peter's parents are very academic. Their house is filled with books and intellectual conversation. What is the most reasonable conclusion about the source of Peter's high intelligence?
A) He inherited the genes for high intelligence from his parents.
B) His parents provided the stimulation needed to develop high intelligence.
C) His intelligence resulted from an interaction of genes and environment.
D) Either genes or the environment could be the causal factor.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Peter's high intelligence is likely the result of both genetic factors (inherited from his parents) and environmental factors (such as the intellectual stimulation provided by his book-filled home and conversations with his parents). This interaction of both nature and nurture is referred to as the nature-nurture debate in the study of psychology. Therefore, the most reasonable conclusion is that Peter's intelligence resulted from an interaction of genes and environment.

Peter Is Very Precocious