According to researchers, a mother´s genetics mainly determines how clever her childen are. That´s the latest result of 30 years of scientific research. But no worries: fathers also have an important part here. 

The following article describes how intelligence is defined and which are its main factors of influence. 

Intelligence has many faces

There is no uniform scientific definition of 'intelligence' so far, because in our day-to-day life intelligence includes numerous different cognitive abilities, which are somehow allocated in our brain. 

To make it easy: What we call intelligence is nothing more than the ability to solve problems.

8 types of intelligence: 

1. Linguistical intelligence: The ability to learn foreign languages and to use them consiously, like we know it from authors or lawyers. 
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence: It is needed for logical analysis, scientifical approaches and coding. 
3. Musicianship and rhythmic intelligence: The skill to differenciate between sound and tone colours and to recognize rhythm. 
4. Visual and areal intelligence: It is important for engineers, graphic designers, arquitects and also for aviators and skippers. 
5. Physical intelligence: The ability to cleverly use the body to solve problems, like in sports, arts or technical areas. 
6. Naturalistic intelligence: It is needed to understand living creatures and to be sensitive for natural phenomena. 
7. Interpersonal intelligence: The ability to show empathy, to put oneself in the position of another person and have a feeling for their inner motivation. 
8. Intrapersonal intelligence: Instead of trying to understand others we try to understand our own feelings and motivation in order to make the right decision.

The main source of intelligence: our moms 

The magazine 'Psychology Spot' analyzed several studies done during the past 10 years, and came to the conclusion that women aren more likely to transmit intelligence genes to their babies since they are carried on the X chromosome. Women have two of these, while men only possess one, that´s why there is a higher probability that these genes are inherited. 

Even worse: It seems that intelligence genes inheritad from the father are automatically deactivated in the embryo. [sorry guys] 

Instead male genetic material is more likely stored in parts of the brain which are responsable for surviving, nutrition and aggression. 

Emotional bonds 

Intelligence is not only defined by our genotype. According to studies it only defines 50% of our later developed intelligence. The other 50% depends on education. Since mothers play an important role in kids´ education and usually there is an especially bond between mothers and their childen, the future intelligence tends to be alike the mother´s intelligence. Even though that´s not a law of nature.  

In fact mothers have been found to play a highly significant role in the so called 'non-genetic part of intelligence', with some studies suggesting a strong bond between mother and child is intimately tied to intelligence. Scientists at the University of Washington discovered that a secure emotional bond between a mother and child is key for the growth of some parts of the brain. 

The father´s role 

Obviously, there is no reason why fathers couldn´t play such a role when it comes to education. Especially in today´s modern society´s where families aren´t following the 'tradition role models' (mom at home and dad working), fathers can have an important influence on the development of kid´s emotional intelligence. 

Researchers point out that a whole array of other gene determined traits - like emotions and intuiton - which can be inherited from the father, are also key to unlocking a kid´s potential intelligence. 

Dr. Marie-Anne Suizzo (University of Texas): 'The warmth of a father’s love has a special influence on young people and makes them feel optimistic and determined to strive for greater things. It also boosts the math grades of teenage girls and the language ability of boys.' 

Concluding: although from a genetical point of view father´s don´t have much influence on the intelligence of their kids. They do have a lot of influence when it comes to education, which also determines a considerable part of our intelligence. 

50% of our intelligence depend on education

It is estimated that between 40% and 60% of our intelligence is hereditary. As a result the remaining percentage depends on environment, stimulation and personal characteristics. 

If educational inequality was minimized, the genetical influence on our educational success would be 100%!

In other words: if all kids around the world had the exactly same educational and familiar conditions, success in school would only depend on their genes. That doesn´t mean that less intelligent kids would be punished, they would rather achieve the possibility to make the most of their (inherited) talents and come as far as they can according to their abilities. 

I hope you enjoyed the read.
Cheers & happy weekend Steemians :-)
Marly -