Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Epistasis Analysis01:09

Epistasis Analysis

Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes02:45

The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes

In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.  
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
Hardy-Weinberg Principle01:49

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.In the early 20th century,...
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
The Stanford Prison Experiment03:20

The Stanford Prison Experiment

The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same journal

Reworking Blood Typing in Republican China: Medical Practice, Ethnic Knowledge, and Popular Culture, 1918-1948.

Journal of the history of biology·2026
Same journal

Assetizing Diversity: Microbial Culture Collections in an Age of Biotechnology, Biodiversity, and Speculative Value Generation (1972-2022).

Journal of the history of biology·2026
Same journal

On "Hennig's Dilemma" and the Post-Systematics Wars.

Journal of the history of biology·2026
Same journal

Culture, Codes, Communities: Culture Collections' Transformation from Microbial Palaces to Networked Services (1890-1972).

Journal of the history of biology·2026
Same journal

Announcement.

Journal of the history of biology·2026
Same journal

The 2026 Everett Mendelsohn Prize.

Journal of the history of biology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Emancipation through interaction--how eugenics and statistics converged and diverged.

Francisco Louçã1

  • 1ISEG, R. Miguel Lupi, 1200 Lisboa, Portugal. flouc@iseg.utl.pt

Journal of the History of Biology
|May 21, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Eugenics significantly shaped modern statistics and social sciences by bridging disciplines. Biology

Area of Science:

  • History of Science
  • Statistics
  • Social Sciences
  • Eugenics
  • Biology

Background:

  • Examines the historical influence of eugenics on the development of statistical science.
  • Investigates the impact of biological evolution on social scientists' methodologies.
  • Focuses on British debates to understand interdisciplinary connections.

Observation:

  • Eugenics acted as a crucial bridge between scientific fields.
  • It fostered the development of modern statistics, initially in biology and later in social sciences.
  • Social scientists were intrigued by advancements in statistical theory and practice.

Findings:

  • Eugenics provided the impetus and institutional framework for modern statistics.

More Related Videos

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
15:00

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

Published on: August 18, 2023

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

  • The emancipation of statistics and social sciences from eugenics was driven by biological inspiration.
  • Innovations in statistical theory and practice presented both fascination and challenges.

    • Implications:

    • Understanding eugenics' role is key to the history of statistics and social sciences.
    • The interdisciplinary nature of science, particularly the biology-statistics-social science link, is highlighted.
    • This historical perspective informs current scientific methodologies and ethical considerations.