scholarly journals Beyond nature vs. nurture in expertise research – comment on Baker & Wattie

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Z. Hambrick ◽  
Alexander P. Burgoyne
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expert Performance ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Nature Vs Nurture

The field of expertise is mired in a nature vs. nurture debate. Despite what we now know from behavioral genetics research about the underpinnings of human behavior, some expertise theorists continue to deny or downplay the importance of genetic factors (“innate talent”) in expert performance. In this commentary, we argue that this viewpoint is neither defensible nor productive. Our argument is based on two observations. First, there are always limits on human performance, even among individuals who have engaged in long periods of intensive training. Second, grounded in a neurobiological system that has evolved through natural selection, variation across people in phenotypes reflecting these limits will have a genetic component. We comment on directions for future research to advance the field of expertise.

Biologically constrained behavioral genetics research

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. D. Hammock
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Gene Interaction ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
Slime Molds ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Gene Interaction Networks ◽  
The Relationship

From a biologist's perspective, social behavior includes any behavior that involves at least two actors. By this definition, social behavior can include aggregation in slime molds, the colony structure of the eusocial insects, or the coordinated efforts of humans across vast distances to successfully land on the moon. The diversity of this range of behavior shares one driving force: natural selection. While natural selection acts at the level of phenotype (e.g., morphology, metabolism, behavior) the ultimate unit of natural selection is the gene contained in DNA-the object of inheritance. The relationship between DNA and social behavior is uncovered in the field of sociogenomics, defined as the mechanistic study of genes, gene products, and gene × gene interaction networks supporting emergent social behaviors.

scholarly journals Behavioral genetics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severi Luoto ◽  
Michael A. Woodley of Menie
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Selection Pressures ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Evolutionary Science

In this introductory chapter, we discuss the nexus between evolutionary theory and behavioral genetics, using it to elucidate the biological origins of human behavior and motivational predispositions. We introduce relevant behavioral genetics methods and evolutionary theoretical background to provide readers with the necessary conceptual tools to deepen their engagement with evolutionary behavioral genetics—as well as to help them take on the challenge of building a scientifically and evolutionarily more consilient account of human behavior. To demonstrate the utility of behavioral genetics in evolutionary behavioral science, our analytical examples range from personality, cognition, and sexual orientation to pair-bonding. We conclude by presenting a few recent landmark studies in behavioral genetics research with a particular focus on two aspects of sexual behavior: assortative mating and same-sex sexual behavior. This chapter considers behavioral genetics methods and their connection with evolutionary science more broadly while providing a succinct overview of recent advances in understanding the evolutionary genetic underpinnings of human sexual behavior, mate choice, and basic motivational processes. It is a sine qua non of scientifically principled evolutionary behavioral scientists to acknowledge the distal evolutionary and proximal genetic processes which, interlinked, underlie the psychobehavioral predispositions that form the variegated fabric of human societies and, more broadly, the diversity of life found in nature. These evolutionary processes operate from distal selection pressures acting on genetic material through hundreds of millions of years of natural selection—and from individual and population differences in genotypes to their manifestations in complex behavioral phenotypes and life outcomes in contemporary humans—which, in turn, enact concomitant selection pressures on the genetic material underlying and arising from them.

Biologically constrained behavioral genetics research

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (02) ◽  
pp. 93-97
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. D. Hammock
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Gene Interaction ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
Slime Molds ◽  
Eusocial Insects ◽  
Genetics Research ◽  
Gene Interaction Networks ◽  
The Relationship

From a biologist's perspective, social behavior includes any behavior that involves at least two actors. By this definition, social behavior can include aggregation in slime molds, the colony structure of the eusocial insects, or the coordinated efforts of humans across vast distances to successfully land on the moon. The diversity of this range of behavior shares one driving force: natural selection. While natural selection acts at the level of phenotype (e.g., morphology, metabolism, behavior) the ultimate unit of natural selection is the gene contained in DNA-the object of inheritance. The relationship between DNA and social behavior is uncovered in the field of sociogenomics, defined as the mechanistic study of genes, gene products, and gene × gene interaction networks supporting emergent social behaviors.

What is the Evolutionary Advantage of Migraine?

Cephalalgia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 624-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Loder
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Defence Mechanism ◽  
Design Constraint ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Evolutionary Advantage ◽  
Evolutionary Explanations

Susceptibility to migraine is determined by genetic factors and is therefore subject to the forces of natural selection. Migraine is a common and ancient disorder whose prevalence may be increasing, suggesting that a migraine-prone nervous system may be associated with reproductive or survival advantages. Five evolutionary explanations are reviewed that might account for the persistence of migraine: (i) migraine as a defence mechanism; (ii) migraine as a result of conflict with other organisms; (iii) migraine as result of novel environmental factors; (iv) migraine as a trade-off between genetic harms and benefits; and (v) migraine as a design constraint. An evolutionary perspective on migraine allows the generation of important hypotheses about the disorder and suggests rewarding possibilities for further research.

Influence of genetic factors and institutional environment on entrepreneurial activity: evidence from a twin study in Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Zunino
Keyword(s):  
Twin Study ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Behavioral Genetics ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Alternative Theory ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Institutional Environments ◽  
Gene Environment Interaction ◽  
Gene Environment

Abstract Genetic factors influence entrepreneurial activity, but we know little about how genetic factors influence entrepreneurial activity when the institutional environment is favorable. Two theories from behavioral genetics explain the gene–environment interaction. One theory argues that a favorable environment favors the development of genetic factors and their influence. An alternative theory posits that unfavorable environment triggers the development of genetic factors and their influence. I test these two competing theories with a twin study based in Italy. I compare the influence of genetic factors in provinces where the institutional environment favors entrepreneurial activity with provinces where the institutional environment is unfavorable to entrepreneurial activity. I found consistent evidence that genetic factors exert a larger influence in favorable institutional environments, suggesting that favorable institutional environments complement genetic factors.

Perceptions of Supervisors and Performance: A Thematic Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1740-1744
Author(s):  
Victoria L. Claypoole ◽  
Alexis R. Neigel ◽  
James L. Szalma
Keyword(s):  
Human Performance ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Peer Monitoring ◽  
Perceived Performance ◽  
Employee Relationships ◽  
And Performance

Observation is a common occurrence within the workplace, and can often manifest as either peer-to-peer monitoring or supervisor-to-peer monitoring. To date, there is a limited body of research that describes changes in performance due to either a positive or negative relationship between supervisors and employees. The present study reports qualitative data on supervisor-to-employee relationships and how the quality of the relationship can alter human performance. The results indicated that relationship with a supervisor was related to perceived performance under direct observation. Women were more likely to report a positive relationship with their supervisor, yet also indicated a negative emotion toward being monitored. These results are important in understanding how supervisor presence influences individual performance when completing job-specific tasks. The implications for future research are discussed.

Emotion in music performance

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrik N. Juslin
Keyword(s):  
Music Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expert Performance ◽  
Musical Style ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Technical Mastery

There are several features that we have come to expect from an expert performance: technical mastery, confidence, originality, flexibility, and a true understanding of the musical style. Yet the feature that both performers and listeners appear to regard as the most important is that the performer is expressive. The most-loved artists are commonly the ones that are able to express and evoke emotions in listeners. Previous studies have mainly concerned how performers express emotions, and this article focuses on this question. The article first provides working definitions of key concepts (e.g. expression, communication), and considers how performers conceive of these issues. It then reviews up-to-date evidence on how performers express emotions. Finally, the article proposes directions for future research.

scholarly journals Diet, Genetics, and Disease: A Focus on the Middle East and North Africa Region

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akl C. Fahed ◽  
Abdul-Karim M. El-Hage-Sleiman ◽  
Theresa I. Farhat ◽  
Georges M. Nemer
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Nutritional Genomics

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suffers a drastic change from a traditional diet to an industrialized diet. This has led to an unparalleled increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases. This review discusses the role of nutritional genomics, or the dietary signature, in these dietary and disease changes in the MENA. The diet-genetics-disease relation is discussed in detail. Selected disease categories in the MENA are discussed starting with a review of their epidemiology in the different MENA countries, followed by an examination of the known genetic factors that have been reported in the disease discussed, whether inside or outside the MENA. Several diet-genetics-disease relationships in the MENA may be contributing to the increased prevalence of civilization disorders of metabolism and micronutrient deficiencies. Future research in the field of nutritional genomics in the MENA is needed to better define these relationships.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document