Friday, September 19, 2008

Behaviour Genetics:Self Esteem gene?


Yes, I do agree that interaction of genetics and environment leads to individual’s behaviour. Numerous studies have supported the ideas of heritability including intelligence, temperament, athleticms and creativity. In understanding of personality traits like self-esteem, is there a gene that manipulating self-esteem? Harter (2006) argued that the answer is possibly no; but heritability is yes. When the child is inherited to be intellectually competent, so they are more likely to perform well in their studies. Thus, the child reinforced by the parents( i.e., compliments), so we won’t feel surprise that eventually the child maintain high self-esteem.

On the other hand, if there is really a so called self-esteem gene, it is less likely for the child to maintain high self-esteem while having a cold home environment (Hart, Atkins, & Tursi, 2006).

1. social consequences of highly accurate genetic diagnoses of traits such as criminality, homosexuality or high intelligence in our society?

Have you ever heard of the statement "Some people are more equal than others"? It is very unfair for certain people who are unable to choose their genes. For example, once the source of the gene like eugenics is confirmed, are you sure that the world would become better or worse?

Next, if we combine the criminality and intelligence, isn't it scary to think of the high IQ people who eventually come up with evil ideas...? For example, creating virus to destroy database can cost loss of billions in corporate world.

Many people tend to think of the simple equation and lead to the generic conclusion like:
Perform well in academic studies = good student = good character including moral values…
It is likely that there is a correlation to each other’s domain, but this does not imply of the causal effect.

References:

Harter, S. (2006). The development of self-esteem. In M. H. Kernis(Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current perspectives (pp. 145-156). New York: Psychology Press.

Hart, D., Atkins, R., & Tursi, N. (2006). Origins and developmental influences on self-esteem. In M. H. Kernis(Ed.), Self-esteem issues and answers: A source book of current perspectives (pp. 157-162). New York: Psychology Press.