BOOK REVIEW: The Genius in All of Us

Why Everything You’ve Been Told about Genetics, Talent and IQ is Wrong

David Shenk

David Shenk provides a new, intriguing and much more credible contribution to the debate about the factors that determine high performance – particularly the relative contributions of genetic inheritance and environment.  Shenk introduces a new equation of far reaching significance: Performance = Genetics x Environment.  He suggests that genes influence performance, but do not determine its limits, implying that children develop only as their environment demands development. He sees the environment and teacher contribution as considerably more significant in developing performers than their genetic endowment. The evidence is compelling that all human capacities (including IQ and athletic abilities) can be enhanced in all children. 

If all children can improve all abilities, then the environment must be appropriately structured to demand this.  It is a factor which has profound implications for schools and the expectations of teachers.  Shenk demonstrates how practice changes the body (and the brain), and discusses how the structure of practice can be highly influential in determining the level of performer progress.  This is extremely significant for schools, and challenges the effectiveness of many of the drill-based practice methods adopted by sports coaches.

He also considers how coaches and schools can influence the attitude of children to practice, and to long term commitment to improvement.  Important within this is the performer’s attitude to failure and frustration, and the teacher’s approach to developing application within children.  The development of these qualities within children is a better predictor of high performance than genes.

This is a fascinating book, which will influence what all teachers believe about the capabilities of children, and the importance of expectation and environment in maximizing these.  It also emphasizes the significance of what schools and teachers do in determining the success of their pupils.