Which theorist emphasized the importance of a child's environment in the development of intelligence?

The choice of John Locke as the theorist who emphasized the importance of a child's environment in the development of intelligence is well-founded. Locke is known for his tabula rasa concept, which suggests that children are born as blank slates, and their experiences shape who they become. He believed that the environment plays a crucial role in intellectual development, arguing that knowledge comes from sensory experiences and interactions with the world. According to Locke, nurturing and educational experiences provided by caregivers and the broader community are essential for a child's cognitive growth.

In the context of the other theorists, while they also recognize the significance of environment or social context in different ways, their focus diverges. Lev Vygotsky emphasized the social context of learning and how interaction with more knowledgeable others influences cognitive development. Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences, which focuses on the various ways individuals can be intelligent, rather than a direct emphasis on the shaping power of environment. Benard Spinoza contributed philosophical ideas about emotions and consciousness, but his work is less directly associated with child development and education in the way Locke's is. Thus, Locke’s theories align most closely with the principle that environment significantly influences intelligence development in children.