Which environmental factor is listed as influencing intelligence?

• A. Genetic makeup
• B. Genetics
• C. Inherited IQ
• D. Cultural environment

Answer: (D)

Intelligence is shaped by both biological and environmental influences, and the environmental factors are the experiences and contexts that support learning and cognitive development. Among these, the cultural environment encompasses the everyday social and educational context a person grows up in—things like schooling quality, language exposure, parental expectations, values about learning, and access to stimulating activities. These elements can shape how people think, problem-solve, and perform on cognitive tasks, making cultural environment a key environmental influence on intelligence. The other options describe genetic factors—genetic makeup, genetics, and inherited IQ—which relate to biology rather than environment.