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Genetic influences on 'environmental' factors
A A E Vinkhuyzen1, S van der Sluis, E J C de Geus
1Department of Biological Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. aae.vinkhuyzen@psy.vu.nl <aae.vinkhuyzen@psy.vu.nl>
Genes, Brain, and Behavior
|January 7, 2010
Summary
Childhood environment and life events are not just external influences; they show significant genetic heritability. This suggests our genes partly shape the environments we experience, impacting well-being.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
- Twin Studies
Background:
- Environmental factors like childhood and social settings are thought to influence cognitive and emotional well-being.
- These factors are traditionally viewed as external influences on behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if common environmental factors (childhood, social, leisure, life events) reflect heritable individual differences.
- To test the hypothesis that these 'environmental' measures are not randomly distributed but genetically influenced.
Main Methods:
- Utilized self-report data from 560 adult twins and siblings.
- Analyzed data on Childhood Environment, Social Environment and Behavior, Leisure Time Activities, and Life Events.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated significant genetic influences on these environmental factors.
- Found a mean broad heritability of 0.49 for these measures.
- Indicated that 'environmental' factors may be partly under genetic control.
Conclusions:
- Suggests that commonly studied environmental factors are, in part, heritable.
- Highlights the complex interplay between genetic and environmental influences on complex traits.
- Proposes that understanding genetic control of external factors is key to understanding gene-environment interactions.
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