Dive Brief:
- In 2015, Nature Genetics published a major review of studies on twins and found 49% of the average variation for human traits and diseases are due to genetics and 51% can be attributed to environmental factors; a new study shows environmental interventions still yield to genetics over time.
- This so-called "fadeout effect" shows that a range of environmental factors can temporarily influence intelligence, but that boost diminishes and later reverts over time to its original state.
- The new research also found certain levels of intelligence at one age don't hold steady over time to a later age.
Dive Insight:
The encouragement of a growth mindset for young learners has been trending lately, with Stanford University neuroscientists studying what educators call "a positive or growth mindset" and its impact on learning. They looked at 243 students aged 7-9, and found increased efficiency in brain activity during math thinking for students who believe "intelligence or other skills can be improved with training and practice, rather than being fixed and inherent traits." Reversely, that study also found that the opposite of a growth mindset, called a "lower positive-mindset level" or "fixed mindset," is associated with lower math performance.
Instead of focusing on broad "intelligence," some have lasered in on the importance of helping students learn traits referred to as "soft skills." Teaching at-risk youth some of these skills, including self-control, has been shown to sometimes prevent run-ins with the law later on in their lives, one Duke University study noted. Soft skills associated with emotional intelligence also helped students stay on track. Social-emotional learning also particularly helps special ed students, who benefit academically from learning character-building and personal development skills.