Episode

#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
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1:47:38
Published: Mon Aug 02 2021
Description

Robert Plomin, is a psychologist, geneticist and an author. Separating the influence of nature and nurture is something everyone considers. Robert is the 71st most cited psychologist of the 20th century and has run the largest and most clinically detailed twin and adoption studies in history to finally provide definitive answers to these fundamental questions. Expect to learn how much of who we are can be attributed to our environment and how much was predisposed by our genetics, why parenting doesn't make a difference, why the choice of school your child goes to only impacts 1% of their outcomes, whether penis size is heritable, if there is a gay gene or not and much more... Sponsors: Get 20% discount on Reebok’s entire range including the amazing Nano X1 at https://geni.us/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Get 10% discount on your first month from BetterHelp at https://betterhelp.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Blueprint - https://amzn.to/3f2OYYk Get my free Ultimate Life Hacks List to 10x your daily productivity → https://chriswillx.com/lifehacks/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Join the discussion with me and other like minded listeners in the episode comments on the MW YouTube Channel or message me... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ModernWisdomPodcast Email: https://www.chriswillx.com/contact

Chapters
Robert Plomin, a famous psychologist, shares insights into how much of who we are is determined by genetics or the environment, the impact of parenting and school choice, and if traits like penis size and sexual orientation have a hereditary influence.
00:00 - 03:04 (03:04)
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Nature vs. Nurture
Summary

Robert Plomin, a famous psychologist, shares insights into how much of who we are is determined by genetics or the environment, the impact of parenting and school choice, and if traits like penis size and sexual orientation have a hereditary influence.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The field of behavioral genetics aims to determine how inherited DNA sequences contribute to differences in behavior, medical predispositions, and other idiosyncrasies among individuals.
03:04 - 11:29 (08:24)
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Behavioral Genetics
Summary

The field of behavioral genetics aims to determine how inherited DNA sequences contribute to differences in behavior, medical predispositions, and other idiosyncrasies among individuals. With a focus on evolutionary psychology and the 0.1% of DNA that differs among individuals, this field seeks to understand the extent that inherited DNA contributes to observed differences.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
A study finds that about 70% of differences in weight among individuals are due to inherited DNA differences, with the remaining 30% due to environmental factors like diet and exercise.
11:29 - 17:36 (06:07)
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Genetics
Summary

A study finds that about 70% of differences in weight among individuals are due to inherited DNA differences, with the remaining 30% due to environmental factors like diet and exercise.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
This podcast talks about the genetic component to weight and how it is often overlooked by society with fat shaming being prevalent.
17:36 - 23:18 (05:41)
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Genetics
Summary

This podcast talks about the genetic component to weight and how it is often overlooked by society with fat shaming being prevalent. It also discusses the difference in measuring physical traits versus psychological traits.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Dr. Robert Plomin discusses how the statistics of variance can describe the extent of how people differ and how twin studies are used to determine the role of genetics in influencing traits and behavior.
23:18 - 29:38 (06:19)
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Twin studies
Summary

Dr. Robert Plomin discusses how the statistics of variance can describe the extent of how people differ and how twin studies are used to determine the role of genetics in influencing traits and behavior.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The idea of gene-environment interaction is a common misconception held by people who believe in the single gene disorders, which is not reflective of the complexities of human genetics and neurobiology.
29:38 - 35:38 (05:59)
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Gene-environment interaction
Summary

The idea of gene-environment interaction is a common misconception held by people who believe in the single gene disorders, which is not reflective of the complexities of human genetics and neurobiology.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Understanding genetics and learning disabilities can help prevent others from being diagnosed with it and improve treatment for those who have it, as thousands of genetic differences affecting a trait like reading disability are normally distributed.
35:38 - 41:29 (05:51)
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Learning disabilities
Summary

Understanding genetics and learning disabilities can help prevent others from being diagnosed with it and improve treatment for those who have it, as thousands of genetic differences affecting a trait like reading disability are normally distributed.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Studies show that personality traits like aggression are less heritable than intelligence, which increases linearly throughout the lifespan due to genetics not being hardwired in the brain.
41:29 - 45:48 (04:18)
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Heritability
Summary

Studies show that personality traits like aggression are less heritable than intelligence, which increases linearly throughout the lifespan due to genetics not being hardwired in the brain. However, childhood behavior can also predict future violent tendencies.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The national tests given to children in the United Kingdom at age seven are 70% heritable, according to researcher Robert Plomin.
45:48 - 54:42 (08:54)
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Heritability
Summary

The national tests given to children in the United Kingdom at age seven are 70% heritable, according to researcher Robert Plomin. These tests involve reading as many age-appropriate words as possible in two minutes.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The topic of happiness is often discussed in podcasts, but not explored in depth by this particular show.
54:42 - 1:02:10 (07:27)
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Happiness
Summary

The topic of happiness is often discussed in podcasts, but not explored in depth by this particular show. The guest acknowledges some useful tools for self-improvement, such as Sam Harris' app, while discussing the reasons why people strive for happiness.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Children within the same family can have vastly different genetic scores despite having the same parents, which can lead to a range of individual differences including intelligence, aptitude and schooling preferences.
1:02:10 - 1:06:43 (04:33)
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Genetics
Summary

Children within the same family can have vastly different genetic scores despite having the same parents, which can lead to a range of individual differences including intelligence, aptitude and schooling preferences. This highlights concerns about genetic “casts”, similar to the caste system in India.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The pressure to follow the traditional path of higher education can be challenging for some families to accept, and there is a growing movement away from forcing kids into a one-size-fits-all approach.
1:06:43 - 1:12:59 (06:15)
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Education
Summary

The pressure to follow the traditional path of higher education can be challenging for some families to accept, and there is a growing movement away from forcing kids into a one-size-fits-all approach. It's important to recognize that success in life can come in many different forms.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
A woman in Matt Hegge's book tries out alternate lives in a library but ends up coming back to her own life, realizing that every life could have multiple interpretations.
1:12:59 - 1:17:36 (04:36)
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Life Philosophy
Summary

A woman in Matt Hegge's book tries out alternate lives in a library but ends up coming back to her own life, realizing that every life could have multiple interpretations. Different parties throughout time and across culture tend to arrive at similar conclusions, which might validate those claims.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
It is important for parents to encourage their children to pursue diverse interests rather than sticking to the same routine week after week for 18 years which could lead to extreme performance within narrow domains and unknown externalities and suffering.
1:17:36 - 1:23:43 (06:07)
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Parenting
Summary

It is important for parents to encourage their children to pursue diverse interests rather than sticking to the same routine week after week for 18 years which could lead to extreme performance within narrow domains and unknown externalities and suffering.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The podcast discusses the quantity of variance in GCSE scores among UK schools that can be attributed to differences in school quality ratings, and how this variance changes when socioeconomic status is taken into account.
1:23:43 - 1:28:19 (04:35)
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UK schools
Summary

The podcast discusses the quantity of variance in GCSE scores among UK schools that can be attributed to differences in school quality ratings, and how this variance changes when socioeconomic status is taken into account.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
This podcast episode discusses how DNA dating is a thing and how individuals can send their DNA via cheek swab to have their genome sequenced to find better matches and improve their chances of having good chemistry.
1:28:19 - 1:34:37 (06:18)
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DNA Dating
Summary

This podcast episode discusses how DNA dating is a thing and how individuals can send their DNA via cheek swab to have their genome sequenced to find better matches and improve their chances of having good chemistry.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
The Finnish model of education focuses resources on helping children at the lower end attain a minimal level of literacy and numeracy rather than solely focusing on the gifted and talented children at the upper end, which is a more reasonable model of education to ensure equal opportunities for all.
1:34:37 - 1:40:32 (05:54)
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Education
Summary

The Finnish model of education focuses resources on helping children at the lower end attain a minimal level of literacy and numeracy rather than solely focusing on the gifted and talented children at the upper end, which is a more reasonable model of education to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
In this podcast, the importance of achieving flow states through meditation as well as the impact these states have on GDP is discussed, highlighting the significance of encouraging people to understand who they are and follow their passions.
1:40:33 - 1:46:42 (06:09)
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Meditation
Summary

In this podcast, the importance of achieving flow states through meditation as well as the impact these states have on GDP is discussed, highlighting the significance of encouraging people to understand who they are and follow their passions.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Robert Greene shares some insights that go against our modern beliefs and understanding.
1:46:42 - 1:47:37 (00:55)
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Robert Greene
Summary

Robert Greene shares some insights that go against our modern beliefs and understanding. If you enjoyed it, please share this episode with a friend.

Episode
#353 - Robert Plomin - How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour?
Podcast
Modern Wisdom