We don't know how many genes we're talking about and if there are very very many they're going to have very very small effects and be very very difficult to find. But I think these genetic differences when they're expressed are going to show up throughout the brain. It's not going to be this gene does that bit of the brain this gene affects another bit of the brain. Now that's a hypothesis for now but it's a very testable one when we find these damn genes if we ever do find them. Scientists have now gathered data from combined studies of over pairs of twins to give a more up-to-date measure of nature versus nurture.
And it shows that Galton Burt and Graham were at least partly on the right track. A large part of intelligence is inherited. You know this is one of the most highly heritable characteristics around intelligence. In adults we're talking about at least or % of the variance in the population is due to genetic differences among us.
So if according to current estimates about % of our intelligence is genetic then that of course leaves the other half up for grabs and that's where environment or nurture comes in. Scientists began to look at the impact of everything from diet and supplements to good old pushy parenting when fostering intelligence in children. David Baddiel investigated just how far a fertile educational environment could affect a child's abilities.
Which I think is a multiple. No it's not! OK so you are starting on A level maths now?
Yeah. It is that right? Yes. And when are you planning to take your A level maths? In January. And what's very special about that? If I get A I'll break the world record. You'll be the youngest... Ever. Ever ever. Child ever to get A level maths. Why has it become important to you to push your children? Why is that important to you? To give them something to think about so that their mind is engaged in something useful all the time. Right. It's very important for them to be independent thinker.
So do you feel that mathematics specifically is almost a spiritual training then for kids in that it will actually train their brains and their minds to become better thinkers better opinion formers? Is that what you're saying? That's exactly right because I did mention maths is the key thinking tool. Most of the time they are not actually studying. So how much time do they spend? When they don't go to school they spend on average about five hours. Right. During school days about three hours. So they'll have their school day and then another three hours of study? Yes yeah on average. It seems quite a lot to me. But that means most of the time they are not studying. Because there are hours in the interval. Yeah but then they're sleeping for quite a lot of that. Yes sleeping yes. But it isn't just a highly educational environment that can enhance intelligence. Baddiel also looked at a revealing experiment which showed that other behaviours instilled in very early childhood can predict a great deal about future academic success. Now if you had to choose the one marshmallow or the three marshmallows which one do you prefer? The three marshmallows? OK. years ago a rather extraordinary experiment was carried out in this nursery at Stanford University. The nursery is re-running the experiment for David.
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