Republic of the Philippines

CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY

Virac, Catanduanes

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Name: TABUZO, ANNE MARGARET T. Date: February 28, 2022

Degree/Year/Block: BEED 1-A Student ID Number: 2021-00664

Exercise 4:

1. “Intelligence: Hereditary or Influence of Environment?” Prove your stand and cite

examples.

Biological and Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Research links biological factors such as brain structure and function with intelligence.
Intelligence is correlated with larger brain volume but it is also correlated with a larger number of
neurons and a thicker outer cortex of the brain. Brain function is also a predictor of intellectual ability.
The brains of people with higher intelligence process information more quickly and they operate more
efficiently. The fact that intelligence is this broad indicates that intelligence is not located any one part
of the brain but that said certain cognitive factors can be predictive of intelligence. For example,
working memory with multiple pieces of information simultaneously as well as cognitive control and
planning.
Many of these neural structures and functions that contribute to intelligence depend at least
partially on genetic factors. In fact, study suggests that genetic factors may have a greater impact on
intelligence level that environmental factors. Twin studies have shown us that identical twins have
more strongly correlated intelligence test scores than do fraternal twins and broader family studies
have demonstrated that people with strong genetic similarities are likely to have similar levels of
intelligence. This is backed up by adoption studies which show that the intelligence of adopted
children tends to correlate more strongly with their biological parents than their adoptive Parents. But
these studies also tell us that genetics doesn't give us the whole picture. Twins raised in the same house
tend to have more similar intelligence scores than twins raised separately. Indicating that environment
is playing a role. It is also clear that environmental factors like the nutrition and educational
opportunities tend to optimize brain development and therefore intelligence. Perhaps more interesting
is that while both biological factors and environmental factors play a role in intelligence, the
environment impacts children more than adults. This is because the environment directly impacts
brain development during childhood and adolescence. Intelligence becomes more stable over time
once brain development ends. Nature and nurture also interact to predict outcomes. For example, a
highly intelligent child may get more attention from teachers and extra enrichment opportunities that
a child with less intelligence. These educational differences may enhance the initial biological
differences. So slight differences in intelligence due to genetics can grow larger over time due to the
environment. This also leaves us with some pretty serious issues to consider because studies show that
malnutrition, poor education and chronic stress can serve to impair brain development. Children living
 Republic of the Philippines
CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY
Virac, Catanduanes

in poverty may also be more likely to be exposed to toxins such as lead which can impair brain
development, negatively impact language skills, social skills, intellectual ability and basic coordination.
This all adds up to the finding that children living in poverty tend to have lower intelligence than
children living with more resources.

2. Cite an incident in your life in which you or other people applied at least one of the
learning theories. Be specific and support your answer.
At the start of every lesson, Mrs. Gil (my former teacher) asks questions to activate the prior
knowledge of her students. She knows this will help to link the new learning concepts to previously
retained ideas, increasing the likelihood that the new learning will be remembered.
This scenario shows the second learning theory, the Cognitivism. Cognitive Learning Theory is
largely based on the work of Jean Piaget, who rejected the idea that learners are passive and simply
react to stimuli in the environment. Instead of focusing solely on observable behavior, Cognitive
Theory seeks to explain how the mind works during the learning process. Like a computer, the mind
takes in information, processes that information, then uses that information to produce learning
outcomes
 Republic of the Philippines
CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY
Virac, Catanduanes

3. Among the 8 Multiple Intelligence of Howard Gardner, which one do you think you
excel the most? Justify your answer and put a picture of yourself doing what you’re
good at.

NATURALIST

Naturalist intelligence really has everything to do with how we relate to our surroundings and
how we fit into it. I identify myself as a naturalist who have the sensitivity to this intelligence and have
an appreciation for nature. I’m gifted at nurturing and I love to grow things as well as have an ability
to care for and interact with animals. I easily distinguish patterns in nature. I am also bothered by
pollution. I enjoy having pets like my dog named Dipper, I love gardening and love those scenic
places. I feel alive when I’m in contact with nature which means that I’m really want to be outdoors
a lot of time especially camping, hiking, walking, climbing. I notice and appreciate nature above all
their things.
Howard Gardner identified in eighth intelligence after he originally published his work on the
seven intelligence, the naturalistic intelligence. It is expertise in recognition and classification of the
numerous species of flora and fauna within an environment as well as an intelligence for animals.