Using Rats!. “If an environment (nurture) is significant, then it can overcome heredity (nature) in regards to intelligence.”

Using Rats!

Nature versus Nurture Experiment

“If an environment (nurture) is significant, then it can overcome heredity (nature) in regards to intelligence.”

HYPOTHESIS:

Test a large random population for intelligence by using a maze (Assume speed to complete the maze = intelligence)

Procedure: Step 1

Separate smart rats and have them breed. Test their offspring, separate the smartest and have them breed. Do this for multiple generations to secure a population of “born smart rats.”

Procedure: Step 2

Do the same thing, with multiple generations, to secure a population of “born dumb rats.”

Procedure: Step 3

Place equal numbers of smart and dumb rats into environment #1 “Restricted Stimuli”—a covered cage. Let them stay in there for a while.

Procedure: Step 4

Place equal numbers of smart and dumb rats into environment #2 “Normal Stimuli” (a regular, normal rat cage). Let them stay in there for a while.

Procedure: Step 5

Place equal numbers of smart and dumb rats into environment #3 “Enriched stimuli” (lots of toys, bells, etc). Let them stay in there for a while.

Procedure: Step 6

Each cage is the same in terms of size, food and water!

Note:

Retest ALL rats in maze

Procedure: Step 7

Environment 1 (restricted stimuli) Dumb rats stay dumbSmart rats get dumb

Results!

Environment #2 (normal stimuli) Dumb rats stay dumbSmart rats stay smart

Results!

Environment #3 (Enriched stimuli) Dumb rats get smartSmart rats stay smart

Results!

What does this prove about nature v. nurture?

Remember the hypothesis of the experiment: “If an environment (nurture) is

significant, then it can overcome heredity (nature) in regards to intelligence.”

Thoughts?

Conclusions…

When the environment was normal (as in environment #2) nature (heredity) seems to be the major factor in intelligence.

When the environment was significant (really bad as in environment #1 or really great as in environment #3) nurture (environment) seems to overcome nature.

Conclusions…

Are slums version of the restricted cage? Is being raised in affluence comparable to being in environment #3?

Human Impact?