Intelligence, Heritability, and the Heritability of Intelligence
The concepts of intelligence and heritability have a great deal in common, historically, scientifically and philosophically. They were developed at roughly the same time, in the early 20th Century, for many of the same reasons. Both were part of early efforts to apply scientific and especially genetic concepts to the complex behavior of humans. They shared the virtue of being based in more rigorous statistical theory than earlier attempts to understand human behavior; unfortunately both were frequently applied to racist and eugenic ends. Both heritability and intelligence can be reified and exaggerated, or minimized and dismissed, but only a more nuanced understanding of them can help us understand their role in modern social science. I offer a theoretical reframing of the concepts of intelligence and heritability, and apply that understanding to identify the promises and limitations of modern genomic social science.
Eric Turkheimer: "Intelligence, Heritability, and the Heritability of Intelligence".
Eric Turkheimer is a psychologist and behavioral geneticist, known for his research on the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors in human behavior. His work has challenged the traditional nature vs. nurture dichotomy, demonstrating instead that genetic and environmental factors interact in complex and dynamic ways to shape human development and behavior. His influential "Three Laws of Behavior Genetics" have become a cornerstone of the field, guiding researchers and shaping public understanding of the interplay between genes and environment. He is currently the Hugh Scott Hamilton Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia.
Published Dec. 9, 2022 9:15 AM
- Last modified May 28, 2024 2:16 PM