Behavioural genetics Flashcards
Heritability
An estimate of how much variance in some characteristic is due to differences in heredity
How is heritability calculated
Comparing the correlation coefficients of identical and non-identical twins for a particular trait
The heritability is twice the difference between the correlations for identical minus non-identical twins
High heritability doesn’t mean environment doesn’t play a role
The multiplier effect
If genetic or prenatal influences produce even a small increase in some activity, the early tendency will change the environment in a way that magnifies that tendency
If a child is good at football they will be encouraged to play it loads- result in them being a good footballer
Underlying genetic factors
Risk taking
Taking substances
Addictive personality
