For the sake of this blog post, I want to say that I think "intelligence" is relative. Are babies not born a blank slate? Although people do have natural talents-- some better at certain things than others-- it would be illogical to disagree that one's environment and experiences contribute to learned intelligence. This begins long before preschool, which is where this NPR article argues that self-control begins. So, self-control is learned around age 4.
I would venture to say that self-control measurements are a by-product of socioeconomic status on a large scale. Learned intelligence is also strongly influenced by home environments. Socioeconomic status is directly related to trends in criminality, health, and life achievement. Socioeconomic status is obviously not something that is learned, however, self-control is. But is it not intuitive that self control could be the sum total of an individual's learned intelligence and home environment (socioeconomic status)?
It seems that the root of the issue is socioeconomic status. What can we do to diminish the impact of socioeconomic status on the future success of children? I have some ideas. But, when more funding goes into prisons than into a child's education, is this really a priority?
--As always, my standard is Author. What's yours?
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