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Vertical pleiotropy explains the heritability of social science traits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2023

Charley Xia  and
W. David Hill Open the ORCID record for W. David Hill [Opens in a new window]
Charley Xia
Affiliation:
Lothian Birth Cohort studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Charley.Xia@ed.ac.uk; https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr−charley−xia David.Hill@ed.ac.uk; https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/david−hill
W. David Hill
Affiliation:
Lothian Birth Cohort studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Charley.Xia@ed.ac.uk; https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr−charley−xia David.Hill@ed.ac.uk; https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/david−hill
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Abstract

We contend that social science variables are the product of multiple partly heritable traits. Genetic associations with socioeconomic status (SES) may differ across populations, but this is a consequence of the intermediary traits associated with SES differences also varying. Furthermore, genetic data allow social scientists to make causal statements regarding the aetiology and consequences of SES.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 46 , 2023 , e230
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Both authors contributed equally.

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