Nature rather than nurture governs intelligent behaviour in primates, scientists discover

The vexed question of whether intelligence is inherited from birth or acquired through education seems to have been answered – for chimpanzees at least.
Scientists have found that being a smart primate is down to genes rather than upbringing, suggesting that nature rather than nurture governs intelligent behaviour in our closest living relatives.

Researchers have argued for many decades over the genetic basis of human intelligence – based on IQ tests and studies of identical twins reared apart – but now a study has found that a chimpanzee’s “cognitive ability” is mostly governed by its genes rather than its environmental background.
The findings could be important for the understanding of human intelligence and cognitive abilities because whatever genes are involved in chimp behaviour are likely to have a common origin with those involved with human intellectual abilities, the scientists suggest.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/nature-rather-than-nurture-governs-intelligent-behaviour-in-primates-scientists-discover-9598283.html