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Special Issue Article
Heritability in the Era of Molecular Genetics: Some Thoughts for Understanding Genetic Influences on Behavioural Traits
Article first published online: 26 JUL 2011
DOI: 10.1002/per.836
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issue
European Journal of Personality
Special Issue: European Personality Reviews 2011
Volume 25, Issue 4, pages 254–266, July/August 2011
Additional Information
How to Cite
Johnson, W., Penke, L. and Spinath, F. M. (2011), Heritability in the Era of Molecular Genetics: Some Thoughts for Understanding Genetic Influences on Behavioural Traits. Eur. J. Pers., 25: 254–266. doi: 10.1002/per.836
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 JUL 2011
- Article first published online: 26 JUL 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 15 DEC 2010
- Manuscript Accepted: 15 DEC 2010
- Manuscript Received: 13 APR 2010
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- genetic influences;
- twin study;
- heritability
Abstract
Genetic influences on behavioural traits are ubiquitous. When behaviourism was the dominant paradigm in psychology, demonstrations of heritability of behavioural and psychological constructs provided important evidence of its limitations. Now that genetic influences on behavioural traits are generally accepted, we need to recognise the limitations of heritability as an indicator of both the aetiology and likelihood of discovering molecular genetic associations with behavioural traits. We review those limitations and conclude that quantitative genetics and genetically informative research designs are still critical to understanding the roles of gene-environment interplay in developmental processes, though not necessarily in the ways commonly discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.