Developmental Behavioral Genetics and Education

Abstract

Quantitative behavioral genetics accounts for individual differences in behavior in terms of genetic and environmental sources of variance. Heritability is the proportion of the total variance in a population that is accounted for by different genes. It is estimated from twin and adoption studies and depends on the genetic and environmental variability in the population. Developmental behavioral genetics focuses on genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in behavioral development, particularly on genetic and environmental change and continuity and on how heritability estimates depend on age. Many studies show that IQ is genetically influenced and that its heritability increases from infancy to adolescence. This might reflect that individuals' environments are increasingly influenced by their genetically influenced dispositions (active genotype–environment covariation). It is concluded that (a) genes are important for individual differences in learning potential, (b) environments are important for mean levels of attainment, (c) genetic influences on abilities call for a more individualized instruction, and (d) active genotype–environment covariation suggests that children should be provided with opportunities to select their preferred environmental niches.