Doctor explained whether intelligence is inherited from parents

Intelligence is determined by genes, but it is not inherited in the same way as eye color or nose shape, geneticist Anastasia Chebotareva told "Gazeta.Ru".

"The inheritance of mental abilities can be imagined as a grand symphony, in which many genes work together, creating a complex composition. Moreover, these genetic characteristics also interact with experiences gained in the environment, for example, when reading books and attending school. Therefore, differences in people's intelligence are determined by a complex interaction of genes and environmental factors that work hand in hand," noted the doctor.

According to her, there are three types of intelligence: verbal, general, and non-verbal. Verbal intelligence is the ability to effectively use language and speech for communication, understanding, and expressing thoughts. General intelligence is the ability to learn, understand complex concepts, solve problems, and make decisions. Non-verbal intelligence manifests outside the verbal context and relates to the ability to understand visual, sensory, and motor information. The first depends more on genes than the other two.

"In a recent study, scientists analyzed data from 452,864 participants. Their intelligence was assessed using standardized psychometric tests that measure cognitive abilities in various areas, including verbal and non-verbal thinking. People's results on different types of intelligence tests are usually closely related. That is, people who scored high on math tests, likewise, generally do well on vocabulary tests. But the study found that verbal intelligence was more predictable from people's genetic data compared to general or non-verbal intelligence," said the geneticist.

According to her, this may be because verbal intelligence is more likely to be hereditary. People tend to pair up for having children with people with whom they share common traits, and for most people, verbal communication is more important than other types of communication.

"In the case of intelligence, there is a close interaction between genetic predispositions and the external environment. Sometimes these two components are difficult to distinguish. For example, people with a genetic predisposition to higher intelligence may seek a more intellectually stimulating environment, which will further enhance their cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is important to understand that genes do not determine intelligence: they correlate and interact with experiences gained in the environment," concluded the specialist.