Final answer:
A distinctive developmental history of intelligence and potential for expertise is indicated by high IQ scores, practical skills for success, and a stimulating developmental environment. Genetics and socioeconomic factors also play a significant role in shaping intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Indicators of a distinctive developmental history of intelligence and the potential to reach high levels of expertise include high intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, such as those over 130, which identify individuals with a greater aptitude for learning. These individuals may be characterized as "gifted," and studies, like the longitudinal research initiated by Lewis Terman in 1921, demonstrated that children with high IQs tend to grow up to be well-adjusted and successful adults. Terman's findings specifically showed that children with IQs over 135 became well-educated and successful, dispelling the myth that highly intelligent individuals are maladjusted or physically weak. These findings are supported by other evidence suggesting that high intelligence may be influenced by a combination of genetics—as shown in twin studies like the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart—and a stimulating environment, which provides intellectual nourishment early in life.
Observations also reveal that intelligence is not solely about academic prowess but includes practical skills that promote success in life. On the contrary, challenges such as learning disabilities do not necessarily correlate with lower intelligence, as students with dyslexia typically have average or above-average intelligence levels. Additionally, social structures and socioeconomic factors influence IQ test performances, with issues like poverty affecting brain development and function.