NATURE VS. NURTURE: INTELLIGENCE

Genius: Something Innate? 

One would think that 8-year-old Mark is a child prodigy due to nurture. When Mark was 2 years old, he went to a birthday party, heard a melody, and played it on the piano. Moreover, his mother stimulated him to play the piano because as a girl, she was denied piano lessons due to her family’s Chinese tradition. Before he had 3 years old, his mother had already taught him Cantonese, a very difficult language. In the late 1960’s, a group of psychologists in North Carolina conducted the “Abecedarian Project.” According to this study, stimulated children have better chances of succeeding in their learning and education. In the end, one would assume that Mark acquired his amazing piano skills from his surroundings.

But this is not the case with this outstanding little boy. Doctor Godfrey has spent the last 15 years studying geniuses and believes that Mark is one of them. Mark can recognize sounds and pitches perfectly; only one in one million people have that gift. He also plays 40 classical piano pieces out of memory. Besides, Dr. Godfrey is sure that child prodigies are born that way because normal children wouldn’t stand practicing the piano 8 hours a day, like Mark does. Dr. Godfrey stated, “Really gifted kids drive themselves.”

“While each child is born with his or her own distinct genetic potential for physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, the possibilities for reaching that potential remain tied to early life experiences and the parent-child relationship within the family.” This quote by Bernice Weissbourd relates much to Mark’s situation. Yet, although Mark was stimulated by his mother to play the piano, he was NEVER FORCED. Mark plays the piano under his own will, drive, and curiosity, and he has excelled at it. Hence, I believe that there is a gene for genius and that Mark was in fact BORN one. Genius can never be taught; it is something innate.

Quote:

http://quotes.dictionary.com/subject/nature%20vs.%20nurture

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