What is the distinction between nature and nurture regarding intelligence?

The distinction between nature and nurture in the context of intelligence fundamentally revolves around the origins of traits and behaviors. Nature refers to the genetic inheritance and biological factors that influence an individual’s intelligence; this includes the genetic material passed down from parents, which plays a significant role in determining cognitive abilities. On the other hand, nurture encompasses the environmental influences that can affect intellectual development, such as education, upbringing, culture, and life experiences.

Option B clearly articulates this relationship by correctly defining nature as genetic inheritance and nurture as environmental influences. This understanding is crucial in psychology, especially in discussions surrounding intelligence, as it underscores the interplay between innate predispositions and external factors in shaping an individual's cognitive capabilities. This perspective supports the view that both genetic and environmental elements are essential in understanding intelligence, a concept that has important implications in educational and psychological settings.