Vertical pleiotropy explains the heritability of social science traits

Charley Xia; W David Hill

doi:10.1017/S0140525X22002382

Vertical pleiotropy explains the heritability of social science traits

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Article number	e230
Journal	Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume	46
Early online date	11 Sept 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X22002382
Publication status	Published - Sept 2023

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10.1017/S0140525X22002382

The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Waves 6 and 7
Cox, S., Bastin, M., Munoz Maniega, S., Shenkin, S. & Wardlaw, J.
BBSRC
1/04/22 → 31/08/25
Project: Research
From genetic sequence to phenotypic consequence: Genetic and environmental links between cognitive ability, socioeconomic position, and health
Hill, D.
MRC
1/10/20 → 30/09/25
Project: Research

Cite this

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title = "Vertical pleiotropy explains the heritability of social science traits",

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.",

author = "Charley Xia and Hill, {W David}",

note = "Financial support: C.X. and W.D.H. are supported by a Career Development Award from the Medical Research Council (MRC) (MR/T030852/1) for the project titled “From genetic sequence to phenotypic consequence: genetic and environmental links between cognitive ability, socioeconomic position, and health.” This work was undertaken within the Lothian Birth Cohort studies group, which is supported by Age UK, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the University of Edinburgh. ",

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AU - Hill, W David

N1 - Financial support: C.X. and W.D.H. are supported by a Career Development Award from the Medical Research Council (MRC) (MR/T030852/1) for the project titled “From genetic sequence to phenotypic consequence: genetic and environmental links between cognitive ability, socioeconomic position, and health.” This work was undertaken within the Lothian Birth Cohort studies group, which is supported by Age UK, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the University of Edinburgh.

PY - 2023/9

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1017/S0140525X22002382

DO - 10.1017/S0140525X22002382

M3 - Comment/debate

SN - 0140-525X

VL - 46

JO - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

JF - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

M1 - e230

ER -

Vertical pleiotropy explains the heritability of social science traits

Abstract

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Projects

The Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Waves 6 and 7

From genetic sequence to phenotypic consequence: Genetic and environmental links between cognitive ability, socioeconomic position, and health

Cite this