A doctor explained whether intelligence is inherited from parents. A medical specialist revealed intriguing details about whether the level of intelligence is transmitted from parents to children. This question has long concerned both prospective parents

Science reveals the secrets of intelligence inheritance: verbal abilities are genetically transmitted more actively than others, scientists have discovered

"The inheritance of mental abilities can be imagined as a grand symphony, in which many genes work together, creating a complex composition. In addition, these genetic characteristics also interact with experiences gained from the environment, for example, through reading books and attending school. Therefore, differences in people's intelligence are determined by a complex interaction of genes and environmental factors that work hand in hand," geneticist Anastasia Chebotareva told "Gazeta.Ru".

According to the specialist, there are three main types of intelligence: verbal, general, and non-verbal. Verbal intelligence is the ability to effectively use language and speech for communication, understanding, and expressing thoughts. General intelligence represents the ability to learn, understand complex concepts, solve problems, and make decisions. Non-verbal intelligence manifests outside the verbal context and relates to the ability to understand visual, sensory, and motor information. Notably, verbal intelligence turned out to be the most dependent on genetic factors.

"In a recent study, scientists analyzed data from 452,864 participants. Their intelligence was evaluated using standardized psychometric tests that measure cognitive abilities in various areas, including verbal and non-verbal thinking. People's results on different types of intelligence tests are usually closely related. That is, people who scored high on math tests typically also do well on vocabulary tests. But the study found that verbal intelligence was more predictable from people's genetic data compared to general or non-verbal intelligence," the geneticist explained.

Chebotareva noted that this phenomenon might be explained by the fact that verbal intelligence has a higher hereditary component. An interesting fact: people tend to choose partners with similar characteristics, and for most people, verbal communication plays a key role in communication, which may enhance this effect across generations.

"In the case of intelligence, there is a close interaction between genetic predispositions and the external environment. Sometimes these two components are difficult to distinguish. For example, people with a genetic predisposition to higher intelligence may seek a more intellectually stimulating environment, which will further enhance their cognitive abilities. Therefore, it's important to understand that genes do not determine intelligence: they correlate and interact with experiences gained from the environment," the specialist concluded.