Farhan began learning music in Lucknow at the age of ten. For the last two years he has practised every day, his parents have bought him a keyboard, and his friends listen to every new tune he makes. His teacher finds that he now composes far better tunes than he did before. Still, she feels that even with years of more practice he may not compose at the level of the great composers whose work she plays in class.
Which of the following best explains both Farhan's progress and its limit?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Heredity sets the limits of creative potential, while environmental factors stimulate its development.
Option (1) Environmental factors set the limits of creative potential, while heredity stimulates its development. — Incorrect. This reverses the two roles. Heredity sets the limits, and environment helps creativity grow within them.
Option (2) Heredity sets the limits of creative potential, while environmental factors stimulate its development. — Correct. Practice, family support and friends are <strong>environmental factors</strong>; they raised Farhan's creativity. The ceiling his teacher sees comes from <strong>heredity, which sets the limits</strong> of creative potential.
Option (3) Heredity largely decides how much of the creative potential is realised and in what form. — Incorrect. How much potential is realised, and in what form and direction, is decided largely by environmental factors such as motivation, family support and training. Heredity only sets the upper limit.
Option (4) Variations in creative potential arise mainly from differences in the level of intelligence. — Incorrect. Variations in creativity come from heredity and environment acting together. Intelligence by itself does not ensure creativity, so it cannot explain Farhan's case.
NCERT (2026-27): “CREATIVITY … |