For Chimps, Intelligence Depends a Lot on Genetics--Just Like Humans

So much of our academic success, future career and overall intelligence is determined by our genetic makeup. Turns out, the same is true for chimpanzees.

According to a recent study published in the journal Current Biology, the nature aspect of a certain scientific theory seemed to hold up better than the nurture component. In other words, chimpanzees raised by human caretakers performed about the same on cognitive tests delivered to them by humans than those raised in their natural habitats.

For the study, researchers examined data on the cognitive abilities of 99 chimpanzees from the ages of 9 to 54. They found that about 50 percent of the variation in the chimps' performance on a series of standard tests could be explained by genetics.

"As is the case in humans, genes matter when it comes to cognitive abilities in chimpanzees," said William Hopkins of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, according to Science 2.0. "It doesn't mean that they are the only factor determining cognitive abilities, but they cannot be ignored."

Researchers said these findings help contribute to a better understanding of intelligence. The study also suggests that differences in cognition may have arisen in common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees about 5 million years ago. 

Though researchers note a strong genetic component to chimp intelligence through this study, they said this was not the only factor contributing to IQ. Just with the nature vs. nurture theory, there are also equally strong environmental influences that can change outcomes.

According to Ajit Varki, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, the power of environment may be underestimated by studies like these.

"In the impoverished and stereotyped setting of long-term captivity," he said, via National Geographic, "the critical influence of environmental variability could be markedly blunted."