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Published on: November 14, 2017
Interaction between experience seeking and genetic and environmental influences on general cognitive ability
Anna A E Vinkhuyzen1, Sophie van der Sluis, Danielle Posthuma
1Complex Trait Genetics, Department of Functional Genomics & Department of Clinical Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), FALW-VUA, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The, Netherlands. anna.vinkhuyzen@uq.edu.au
Experience seeking behavior (ES) is linked to cognitive ability through shared genes and environment. Higher or lower ES levels amplify these shared influences, impacting cognitive ability development.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Cognitive psychology
- Individual differences
Background:
- Experience seeking behavior (ES) is positively associated with cognitive functioning.
- The underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for cognitive and genetic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the causes of covariation between ES and general cognitive ability.
- Examine if ES moderates the genetic and environmental influences on cognitive ability.
- Elucidate the complex interplay between ES and cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large sample of adult twins and siblings (N = 864, age range 23-75).
- Quantitative genetic modeling to assess shared genetic and environmental factors.
- Examination of moderating effects of ES on genetic and environmental influences.
Main Results:
- A phenotypic correlation of .17 (p <.001) was observed between general cognitive ability and ES.
- Common genetic and environmental factors underlie the association between ES and cognitive ability.
- ES moderated the genetic and environmental influences on cognitive ability, with effects varying across ES levels.
Conclusions:
- The association between ES and cognitive ability is explained by both shared genetic/environmental factors and moderating effects.
- ES influences how genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in cognitive ability.
- Findings necessitate incorporating moderating effects in future research on ES and cognitive ability genetics.
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