Monday, April 2, 2012
Evidence - Natural Talent
In chapter 7 Shenk discusses what is necessary to become a genius. Continuing with the theme of GXE and how the environment in an important player in how each person turns out, Shenk writes on page 118-119 "Even in a land of free choice, we are mostly shaped by habits, messages, schedules, expectations...Many of these elements are passed down...with little or no change and are difficult or impossible to alter". This shows he feels that the environment can control our outcome. However, in the evidence section on page 318, Shenk says "Many people who stand out as being extraordinary do so because of choices they have made...", which indicates that some have chosen to be great. Csikszentmihalyi, Rathunde, and Whalen write in a 1993 study "...talent is much more widely distributed than its manifestation would suggest." (120). How much of our talent is a result of our choices? Could we all become great in athletics, academics or the arts if we just chose to work harder than the rest? How true is the saying practice makes perfect?
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According to the GxE model, the environment is a critical factor when it comes to individuality. Different environments can lead to different gene expressions. Shenk writes that even in a land of choice, we are shaped by our own daily routines, customs, and expectations. They are passed down and are almost impossible to alter (119). Although these elements can alter our gene expression, they are not impossible to change. Many of our characteristics are quantitative which suggests that polygenic inheritance, environment, and choices all play into the way our genes are expressed (Campbell 274). These choices we make can significantly change the way we ultimately turn out. In fact, most of the people that display extraordinary talents are able to do so because of choices they have made (Shenk 318).
ReplyDeletePhenotype for organisms depends on both genotype and environment. The genotype sets the form while the environment and experiences will fill it in. For example, a tree has leaves that may differ in size, shape, or color because of exposure to wind and sun. Similarly for humans, nutrition may influence height, exercise can influence build, and tanning can change the color of skin. This proves that genotype is associated with a broad range of phenotypic possibilities (also known as norm of reaction) along with environmental influence (Campbell 275).
When thinking about well known, talented people, they all have backgrounds of practice, practice, and more practice. For example, Wolfgang was fascinated with playing music and with a powerful blend of instruction, encouragement, and constant practice, he became a famous musician (Shenk 63). Also consider Michael Jordan. It was not until later in his youth that he really became a superstar basketball player. When he knew that basketball was what he was good at and wanted to pursue, he would practice every day, give 110% at team practices as well as games, and constantly worked his weaknesses to become an all-around good player. Based on major studies by Ericsson, expertise in a subject can be reached dedication and ten thousand hours of practice over ten years (http://euroscientist.com/2011/03/pivot-points-is-10000-hours-practice-enough/). According to this statement, one cannot become experts on something with only choice. They need to have dedication and a desire to learn. Everyone is different. Therefore, choices that one person makes may not affect another person in the same way. The 10,000 hours is an estimate. Someone may need more, someone may need less; it all depends on the idea of nature working with nurture. A growth mindset is the key to success: never be satisfied with your current ability, critique yourself, understand that failure is necessary, and believe that you can improve (Shenk67).
So, the choices we make to practice and pursue our goals play a huge part in becoming the best we can be. When humans push themselves beyond comfort zones, an abnormal state for cells are induced to create biochemical state that will activate dormant genes. It is our bodies’ way of adaptive change (Shenk 69). Our neural plasticity, of mainly our frontal lobe, is what allows us to make such choices to become better in later times of our lives if we choose (Campbell 1079). The frontal lobe of our brains is responsible for motor function and plays a large part in muscle memory. As we learn, new synapses are constantly forming between neurons in the brain to retain the newly learned skills (http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/plast.html).
In conclusion, talent is not fully dependent on our genes. Our genes lay down the basics for our later development, but that does not mean that it is set in stone. With the choices we make and the environment we choose to put ourselves in, talent can be developed over time; it is not inherited, it is a process.
(Katie Donnowitz kdonnowitz94@aol.com)
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ReplyDeleteAlthough Shenk continuously argues that the environment has an effect on the traits developed by an organism, he does not suggest, however, that that solely our choices and environment will cause "greatness". As the previous post suggests the environment is a critical factor is developing traits, represented by the GxE model, but genes still have the same weight as the environment in the development of specific traits. The GxE model is more complicated than making a choice to enter an environment that will develop a "greatness" trait; in reality the "Genes, proteins, and environmental signals constantly interact with one another...which form traits" (Shenk 31). The choice to practice may cause an environment that will causes a specific change in the body, but that does not guarantee that greatness will come out of that choice because genes still have a significant impact on the development of traits. Therefore it seems safe to say that we can not all become world class dancers, artist, musicians, athletes, or mathematicians.
ReplyDeleteHowever this does not take away from the importance choices can have on the development of a trait. For example, people who type everyday of their lives not only the ability to type faster and better, but are able to "look further ahead and prepare themselves better for future keystrokes" (Shenk 252). Similar abilities can be seen in practiced athletes. These adaptions are direct effects from the choice we have to practice. Practice challenges homeostasis in the body in one form or another, and our bodies overtime develop ways to maintain homeostasis more efficiently. Take for example, a ballet dancer. Not only does practice challenge the homeostasis of regulation of oxygen and energy, but it also challenges the regulation of endorphin. The strenuous practice of ballet will cause the specific muscle cells involved to adapt to energy needs over time. This continuous challenge of homeostasis of oxygen and nutrients will eventually cause the cell to adapt in order to demand less of many nutrients, also the our blood volume will increase (Campbell 920).The regulation of endorphins is also a process that adapts with constant and strenuous practice of ballet. The endorphin hormone causes the body to not feel pain (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55001); this comes in handy for a ballet dancer who must stay on the tips of his or her toes for a duration of time. With practice the reaction of the body to feel pain at the end of the toes will decrease over time, this regulation of endorphins is a adaption based on the choices made by the dancer. Although choosing to work hard or practice hard does not guarantee greatness, it does guarantee improvement.
As for the the statement that practice makes perfect, it is more accurate to say that perfect practice allows for improvement. In other words, practicing very specific areas will allow the body to react to the change in homeostasis and with continuous and vigorous specific practice the body will obtain a specific adaption in order to stay at homeostasis more efficiently.
Talent is neither inherited nor completely achieved through practice, instead it is a combination of the two that can lead to potential greatness.
Joseph Hugener (jah1112@comcast.net)