Episode
#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
1:23:45
Published: Mon Oct 03 2022
Description
Dr Stuart Ritchie is a psychologist and science communicator known for his research in human intelligence and an author. The influence of our genes on the outcomes we get in life has been long established and replicated in science. However the public response to this has been very unhappy, making Behavioural Genetics one of the most heated areas of research there is. Expect to learn why some people dislike behavioural genetics so much, what happened with the recent SSRI rug pull, whether Emotional Intelligence is an actual thing, how to be skeptical without becoming nihilistic, which psychological phenomenon were debunked during the replication crisis and much more... Sponsors: Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 15% discount on Craftd London’s jewellery at https://bit.ly/cdwisdom (use code MW15) Get 15% discount on all VERSO’s products at https://ver.so/modernwisdom (use code: MW15) Extra Stuff: Buy Science Fictions - https://amzn.to/3y666Wl Follow Stuart on Twitter - https://twitter.com/stuartjritchie Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/
Chapters
A promotion for sweat-proof, waterproof, and gym-proof custom jewelry with a lifetime guarantee, as well as a tip for accessing Netflix content from abroad.
00:00 - 04:06 (04:06)
Summary
A promotion for sweat-proof, waterproof, and gym-proof custom jewelry with a lifetime guarantee, as well as a tip for accessing Netflix content from abroad.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
This episode sheds light on the double standard when it comes to talking about genetic influences, like those affecting height and eye color, versus those tied to political philosophies or intelligence, which receives backlash.
04:07 - 11:39 (07:32)
Summary
This episode sheds light on the double standard when it comes to talking about genetic influences, like those affecting height and eye color, versus those tied to political philosophies or intelligence, which receives backlash.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Mothers with multiple children are the most accurate at predicting the role of genetics in traits such as obesity, height, and intelligence.
11:39 - 17:57 (06:18)
Summary
Mothers with multiple children are the most accurate at predicting the role of genetics in traits such as obesity, height, and intelligence. There is hesitation and double standards around studying education in a genetic sense, despite evidence that siblings can differ greatly in their personality.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The original intention of IQ tests was to find intelligent children from poorer backgrounds and give them appropriate academic curriculum, not to reinforce eugenic theories.
17:57 - 25:15 (07:17)
Summary
The original intention of IQ tests was to find intelligent children from poorer backgrounds and give them appropriate academic curriculum, not to reinforce eugenic theories. The influence of psychologists who devised these tests on the education system was a noble one, though their findings have been used in history to draw unfair right-leaning conclusions.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
A discussion about the APOE gene and how it has twice the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease; for more complicated things such as educational attainment and height, there isn't just one gene that has a considerable effect.
25:15 - 30:44 (05:29)
Summary
A discussion about the APOE gene and how it has twice the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease; for more complicated things such as educational attainment and height, there isn't just one gene that has a considerable effect.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
There are multiple types of intelligence, including arithmetic intelligence and variable auditory kinesthetic learning, and differences have been found in family studies.
30:44 - 39:46 (09:01)
Summary
There are multiple types of intelligence, including arithmetic intelligence and variable auditory kinesthetic learning, and differences have been found in family studies.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Intelligence and personality are more accurate predictors of job outcomes than emotional intelligence (EQ), which can be used to manipulate people.
39:46 - 42:36 (02:50)
Summary
Intelligence and personality are more accurate predictors of job outcomes than emotional intelligence (EQ), which can be used to manipulate people. However, psychologists often reframe ideas with new terminology to make them appear novel.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The podcast discusses the concept of social priming - how encountering certain words or ideas can affect our behavior - and its role in the replication crisis in psychology research.
42:36 - 45:46 (03:09)
Summary
The podcast discusses the concept of social priming - how encountering certain words or ideas can affect our behavior - and its role in the replication crisis in psychology research.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The growth mindset was initially seen as a life-changing concept but is now viewed as a cheap intervention with a small effect on children’s education.
45:46 - 51:04 (05:18)
Summary
The growth mindset was initially seen as a life-changing concept but is now viewed as a cheap intervention with a small effect on children’s education. It has come a long way from its early discussions in the 90s/2000s.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Many studies including randomized medical trials lack adequate control groups, which reduces the quality of the trial results.
51:04 - 56:37 (05:33)
Summary
Many studies including randomized medical trials lack adequate control groups, which reduces the quality of the trial results. Experts suggest ensuring better control groups and increasing the overall quality of such studies to improve the validity of psychological tools used during trials.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The existence of depression as a latent variable that causes all the symptoms is challenged, and the effectiveness of antidepressants is discussed as a small but positive impact.
56:37 - 1:06:42 (10:04)
Summary
The existence of depression as a latent variable that causes all the symptoms is challenged, and the effectiveness of antidepressants is discussed as a small but positive impact. A recent paper suggests that the SSRI theory underlying antidepressants is related to differences in serotonin in the brain.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
Low quality research and studies have contributed to the confusing and messy landscape of depression research.
1:06:42 - 1:16:16 (09:33)
Summary
Low quality research and studies have contributed to the confusing and messy landscape of depression research. However, certain treatments like electroconvulsive therapy have proved helpful for severe cases of depression.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of open science and transparency in research.
1:16:15 - 1:22:34 (06:18)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of open science and transparency in research. By publishing data online and seeking out other scientists' opinions, a paper can become more reliable and trustworthy.
Episode#534 - Dr Stuart Ritchie - Why Is Behavioural Genetics Such A Hated Science?
PodcastModern Wisdom
The podcast concludes with a reminder to subscribe to not miss any episodes.
1:22:34 - 1:23:42 (01:07)
Summary
The podcast concludes with a reminder to subscribe to not miss any episodes. Also, there are advertisements for a VPN service, jewelry, and products from Verso with discount codes.