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Title
The Heritability of Human Behavior: Results of Aggregating Meta-Analyses
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Publication Date
2008
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
The heritability of human behavior can be estimated through studies comparing MZ and DZ twins and through adoption studies. Meta-analyses have estimated the heritability of intelligence, mental chronometric performance, language ability, anxiety disorders, major depression, antisocial behavior, problem drinking, and smoking. This article presents the aggregation and analysis of these meta-analyses, which included a total of over four hundred samples. The results of the aggregation suggest that about 41% of human behavior is genetically influenced, a percentage that may have evolutionary value. Some significant moderators were found in more than one meta-analysis, including greater heritability (a) in more disordered levels of a behavior for performance on a language-ability test, antisocial behavior, and smoking and (b) in females for antisocial behavior and smoking initiation. The moderator findings raise questions about what might explain the identified differences in level of heritability.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Current Psychology, 27(3), p. 153-161
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Place of Publication
United States of America
ISSN
1936-4733
1046-1310
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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