PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Flynn Effect, Gene Knockout, Socioeconomic Status
15 Jun 2018
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PSYC 100 – Lecture 20
Biological, Environmental, and Behavioral Influences on Intelligence
Biological Influences on Intelligence
• Genetics, heritability
• Behavioral genomics
o Gene knockout (KO) studies – involve removing a specific gene and
comparing the characteristics of animals with and without that gene
• Environmental influences on intelligence
o Birth order – what order you were born in your family (eldest, youngest,
middle child, etc.)
▪ Evidence shows that first-born children are, on average, about 3 IQ
points higher than second-born children, and 4 points higher than
third-born, etc.
▪ These point differences are very small however, and make little-to-
no difference
o Socioeconomic status – the class or amount of wealth a family has
▪ Children growing up in wealthier homes, on average, have higher
IQs than those growing up in poverty for a multitude of reasons
o Nutrition
▪ Poor diet leads to lower IQs and vice versa
o Stress
o Education
o The Flynn Effect
▪ Named after researcher James Flynn
▪ Refers to the steady population level increases in intelligence test
scores over time – is everyone getting smarter?
• Behavioral influences on intelligence
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
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PSYC 100 Full Course Notes
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