Examines the interplay between genes and environment and argues that the development of much individual variation can be explained in terms of relatively simple forms of underlying regulation. Looks at "sensitive periods," during which variation is produced by experience received at a particular age. Includes a discussion of the…

Four basic assumptions of IQ tests - age constancy, scholastic validity, standard environment and performance suggiciency are alien to Piaget's theory. Heredity cannot be statistically separated from environment; therefore, Piagetian theory would suggest the nature-nurture controversy is devoid of meaning. (ST)

Twin children were videotaped hitting an inflated clown figure. Three behaviors (number of hits, intensity of hits, and number of quadrants hit) showed adequate response characteristics, rater reliability, and test-retest reliability. Twin analyses of the three behavioral ratings yielded no evidence of hereditary influence. (Author)

Critiques an environmentalist view of the effects of nature and nurture on behavior. Argues for an interactionist position in which nature and nurture are totally and inextricably involved in each and every organismic response. (MP)

Critically reviews literature relevant to the hypothesis that a major X-linked gene determines spatial ability in man. It is concluded that belief in the validity of the hypothesis is unfounded. (Author/SS)

The 1994 publication of "The Bell Curve" by R. Herrnstein and C. Murray is compared to other examples of eugenic principles, including the sterilization of "feebleminded" Carrie Buck, family degeneracy studies focusing on lower class Caucasian families, and other works that view the poorest and least educated members of society…

The home environment of nonadoptive and adoptive sibling pairs was assessed using the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment when each sibling was one and two years of age. Correlations between home environment scores for nonadoptive siblings were greater than those for adoptive siblings. (BC)

Rebuts the Burgess and Molenaar commentary in this issue on the authors' paper concerning sociobiology and human development, maintaining that genes (nature) cannot usefully be construed as independent of the coactional developmental system of which they are a part. (BB)

Theories are discussed concerning the relative significance of biological and environmental issues to giftedness, with discussion organized into the "onset" period of the late nineteenth century, with contributions by Charles Darwin, Frances Galton, and Karl Pearson; and the "flowering" period of the early twentieth century with Lewis Terman. (JDD)

The controversy about the relative importance of heredity and environment and the role of parents in children's behavior explored by Harris is not new. Although her book offers no new policy guidance, it does offer some useful academic suggestions by clarifying the plentiful scientific evidence of the importance of genetics in behavior. (SLD)

Describes seven myths regarding the role of genes in determining behavior and the modifiability of behavior that permeate the thinking of many educators and psychologists. Examines each myth, dispels it, and states what are believed to be correct conclusions from different kinds of behavior-genetic and related data, considering the implications…

The issue of race differences in intelligence, especially with respect to American black and white populations, is adjudged to be "nonsensical" in terms of the framing of the question, the populations sampled, the testing instruments utilized, and the concept of "intelligence" postulated. (Author/EH)

The principal author of Inequality: A Reassessment of the Effects of Family and Schooling in America (1972) comments on three reviews of the book. For related articles see TM 501 196-199. (MLP)

There are two kinds of hereditary influence, genetic inheritance and biological inheritance, that may respond to environmental determinants. The ability to speak is one genetically produced aspect of being human, and research studies based on the assumption that speech is innate to humans have found that infants appear to pay particular attention…

Discusses the importance of and need for genetics education for both medical professionals and the public. The nature nurture controversy is included in terms of environmental conditions causing the expression of certain genetic predispositions. (MA)