To be fair, it had never occurred to me that completing a PhD could be genetically driven… It seems quite plausible, actually (however, not completing one seems much less correlated to me).
Yes, I’m more skeptical now! Still, I’m also skeptical of these studies, though (maybe because I have not reviewed them myself—nothing persona!--, which I actually doubt I will do...).
AFAIK, there were very well know studies strongly relating IQ to genes (which implied that e.g. black people have lower IQ) that are now being refuted and the new ones link it much more to the socio-economic status of the family. I guess the difference is only the degree of correlation (you say it yourself that socio-economic status has an impact), but what I heard/read is that difference is quite large.
In addition, I can not square these studies you mention with other good research. E.g. gratitude journaling seem to have a huge effect improving mental health, and this is something that can be easily taught at home.
My guess to put everything together is now that the world is very messy, such effects very difficult to measure, and that most education is good enough to avoid trauma but still very sub-optimal (difficult to find the signal within lots of noise). In addition, probably, educating techniques work differently for different children (which would not be surprising and would largely explain that education is sub-optimal).
Thanks you very much! That’s a great answer!
To be fair, it had never occurred to me that completing a PhD could be genetically driven… It seems quite plausible, actually (however, not completing one seems much less correlated to me).
Yes, I’m more skeptical now! Still, I’m also skeptical of these studies, though (maybe because I have not reviewed them myself—nothing persona!--, which I actually doubt I will do...).
AFAIK, there were very well know studies strongly relating IQ to genes (which implied that e.g. black people have lower IQ) that are now being refuted and the new ones link it much more to the socio-economic status of the family. I guess the difference is only the degree of correlation (you say it yourself that socio-economic status has an impact), but what I heard/read is that difference is quite large.
In addition, I can not square these studies you mention with other good research. E.g. gratitude journaling seem to have a huge effect improving mental health, and this is something that can be easily taught at home.
My guess to put everything together is now that the world is very messy, such effects very difficult to measure, and that most education is good enough to avoid trauma but still very sub-optimal (difficult to find the signal within lots of noise). In addition, probably, educating techniques work differently for different children (which would not be surprising and would largely explain that education is sub-optimal).
I’m interested in your thoughts :-)
Your mental flexibility and willingness to chance your mind is commendable.
I recommend taking a look at Plomin’s “Blueprint”.
https://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-How-DNA-Makes-Press/dp/0262039168
even on IQ short-term gains can be made by intensive training. However, it effects seem to always wash out in the long-term.
Thanks, I’ll take a look.