Interaction and Misconceptions Regarding Heredity and Environment on Children

Interaction of Heredity and Environment:

A large number of individual differences are caused by the interactive process of heredity and environment.

To each child heredity provides a potential and the dynamic forces of environment act upon that a potential in a different way. Let us illustrate how the interactive forces of heredity and environment produce differences in

We may have for the sake of illustration one trait (intelligence) and at one end of the diagram we place the rod measuring the rate of mental maturity (I.Q.).

There are three children of the same percentage X and Y each. The hereditary potential for these children A, B, C or for P, Q, R is the same being represented by the equality of height of the cones.

But as environmental factors influence members’ sets differently, the hereditary potential is realized in different amounts or degrees. With least stimulating environments only a part of the potential is realized (A, P) and with very stimulating environments we have full realization of the potential (C, R).

The differences between the six children are due to interaction of hereditary potential and the environment

Misconception Regarding Heredity and Environment:

We have many misconceptions regarding heredity and environment due to lake of proper knowledge.

People use two terms in born and heredity interchangeably. It is usually believed that whatever is in inborn in heredity. Some think that taking birth is the end of the heredity. We should not consider birth as the end or beginning of one type of influence as it is only a stage of development.

We should understand that heredity does not necessarily result in resemblance of offspring’s to their parents. Heredity does not refer to any transmission as these skills or behaviors are consciously learned by the parents and do not fall within the purview of heredity.

We have many other misconceptions too. It is believed that if a heredity origin is identified under, a given condition, nothing or very little can be done to improve it.

Really this is not true. Many heredity diseases are curable. Some people think that all heredity characteristics cannot be changed but it is not totally true. There are very few heredity characteristics that be changed by any known environmental factors.