Let us examine the different explanations about one human characteristic , intelligence , of- fered by the two theories. (65 ) Supponers of the "nature" theory insist that we are born with a certain capacity for learning that is biologically determined. Needless to say. They don't believe that factors in the environment have much influence on what is basically a predetemlined charac- tedstic. On the other hand, behaviorists argue that our intelligence levels are the product of our experiences. (66) Behaviorists suggest that the child who is raised in an environment where there are many stimuli which develop his or her capacity for appropriate responses will experience greater intellectual development .
The social and political implications of these two theories are profound. (67 ) In the United States, blacks often score below whites on standardized intelligence tests. This leads some " na- ture" proponents to conclude that blacks are biologically inferior to whites. ( 68) Behaviorists, in contrast , say that differences in scores are due to the fact that blacks are often deprived of many of the educational and other environmental advantages that whites enjoy. .
Most people think neither of these theories can yet fully explain human behavior.
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