I have always wondered what is more important to achieve success – genius from birth or thousands of hours of hard work? This question has always been and even now remains relevant, although modern research brings clarity. There are studies and popular science books, of which the most famous are perhaps the books of Malcolm Gladwell.
Genetics: Research shows that genetics plays a significant role in determining intelligence and cognitive abilities. Robert Plomin, in his work “The Genetics of Cognitive Abilities,” argues that about 50% of the variation in intelligence is explained by genetic factors. The study used data from twins, allowing for a relatively precise estimate of the contribution of heritability to cognitive ability.
According to another 2014 study from the University of Edinburgh, genetic factors explain about 54% of the variance in cognitive ability in adults. This confirms the importance of genetic predisposition in the development of intelligence.
Hard Work: The 10,000 Hour Theory, proposed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Geniuses and Outsiders, is based on the research of psychologist Anders Ericsson. Ericsson’s 2007 study indicates that it takes about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve mastery in any field. However, subsequent studies have questioned the universality of this rule.
A 2014 study, “A Meta-Analysis of the Role of Practice in Achieving Mastery,” by B. McNamara, found that practice explained only about 12% of the variance in performance in music, sports, and education. This means that while hard work is important, it is not the only factor in success. For example, in sports, practice explained 18% of success, in music – 21%, and in education – only 4%.
The 2016 Princeton University study, “The Impact of Genetics and Practice on Success,” found that a combination of natural ability and hard work is most important. Genetic factors may provide an initial advantage, but without intensive practice and ongoing training, this potential may remain unrealized.
Academic evidence from the IQ and Hard Work Study shows that both being a natural genius and hours of hard work play important roles in achieving success. For example, a 2019 study from Harvard found that students with high IQs who also worked hard achieved the highest results. This emphasizes that innate ability and practice complement each other.
So, in conclusion, as expected, modern research confirms that success depends on a combination of innate ability and hard work. Innate ability can provide the base, but systematic practice and training are necessary to reach full potential. How much of your success depends on your genetics, and how much on perseverance – this is entirely your own research! 😉
Sources
- Plomin R. et al., “Genetics of cognitive abilities”, 2013
- University of Edinburgh, “Genetic factors in cognitive abilities”, 2014
- Ericsson K.A., “The role of deliberate practice in achieving expert level”, 2007
- McNamara B., “Meta-analysis of the role of practice in achieving mastery”, 2014
- Princeton University, “The Impact of Genetics and Practice on Success”, 2016
- Harvard University, “Research on IQ and Hard Work”, 2019
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