Final answer:
Intelligence is influenced by both genetic factors and environmental elements such as socioeconomic status and access to stimuli. While studies show a genetic link in intelligence, environmental conditions can substantially impact an individual's cognitive development and resulting IQ scores.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inheritance of intelligence is a complex trait influenced by multiple factors, including genetic and environmental components. Twin studies, such as the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, have shown a genetic correlation in IQ scores, suggesting a hereditary aspect of intelligence.
However, environmental factors like socioeconomic status, and access to intellectual stimuli, are also significant. For instance, children living in poverty may face stress that adversely affects brain development, potentially impacting IQ scores negatively. It is important to consider that intelligence is not a static trait and can be affected and developed over time through a mix of genetic predispositions and environmental influences.