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Were Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci born brilliant or did they acquire their intelligence through effort? No one knows for sure, but telling people the latter – that hard work trumps genes – causes instant changes in the brain and may make them more willing to strive for success, indicates a new study from Michigan State University.
The findings suggest the human brain is more receptive to the message that intelligence comes from the environment, regardless of whether it’s true. And this simple message, said lead investigator Hans Schroder, may ultimately prompt us to work harder.
http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2014/nature-or-nurture-its-all-about-the-message/
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Now KEN and BARBIE are PERMANENTLY ADDICTED to MIND-ALTERING DRUGS ...
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday September 08 2014, @06:51AM
Within a specific environment yes, hard work does correlate loosely with success. Between environments, no, it does not at all.
Here is a small thought experiment. There are two geniuses that live in the same country and the same socioeconomic class. Dunning-Kruger being what it is, they both believe they are losers that will never amount to anything. One then is inspired to hope for whatever reason and chooses to try anyway. Over time, clearly the odds are that a genius that tries to make something out of himself will indeed outperform a disheartened one. How much he will outperform is an entirely different question.
Now for a second thought experiment. Two geniuses again, both highly motivated to succeed. One of them lives in New York and was born into a median income family. The other lives in Juba, the capitol of South Sudan and was also born into a median income family. Who do you think will prosper more?
Effort, ability, and opportunity are all necessary for success. The only real question is in the amounts of each that are needed.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Kell on Monday September 08 2014, @07:18AM
Effort, ability, and opportunity are all necessary for success.
But importantly, only one of those is within the control of the individual. If ability and opportunity are no there, effort might not be enough; if ability and opportunity abound, effort might not be necessary. Whatever the case, if you want to be successful, the logical policy is to try your hardest.
Scientists ask questions. Engineers solve problems.