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The dubious precision and utility of heritability estimates
Steven J Heine1, Ilan Dar-Nimrod2
1Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, V6T 1Z4 BC, Canadaheine@psych.ubc.cahttps://heinelab.psych.ubc.ca/person/steven-heine/.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|September 13, 2022
Summary
Heritability estimates are methodologically flawed and misused, potentially causing social harm. This study argues for abandoning their use in scientific research.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Quantitative genetics
- Social sciences
Background:
- Heritability estimates are widely used to quantify genetic contributions to phenotypic variation.
- Concerns exist regarding the methodological rigor and interpretation of heritability coefficients.
- Previous work by Uchiyama et al. has raised significant questions about these estimates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide further arguments supporting the critique of heritability estimates.
- To highlight methodological limitations in deriving heritability coefficients.
- To advocate for the discontinuation of heritability estimates in scientific discourse.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of existing literature on heritability estimation.
- Examination of the contextual application and interpretation of heritability coefficients.
- Review of the potential societal impacts stemming from common misunderstandings of heritability.
Main Results:
- Methodological issues in the derivation of heritability coefficients are identified.
- Misuse of heritability estimates across various scientific and social contexts is demonstrated.
- Heritability estimates are shown to reinforce erroneous intuitions, potentially leading to negative social outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Heritability estimates possess significant limitations and are prone to misuse.
- The continued reliance on heritability estimates may perpetuate harmful misconceptions.
- A shift away from using heritability estimates is recommended for scientific advancement.
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