Why We Vary

Genetics

What Causes Genes?

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on April 16, 2020

When a gene is found to be associated with a behavior, most people assume that the effect must flow from the gene to the behavior. But it could be the other way around.

When a gene is found to be associated with a behavior, most people assume that the effect must flow from the gene to the behavior. But it could be the other way around.

Environment

Being Raised Together Doesn't Make Us The Same

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on June 24, 2019

Behavior geneticists find that the shared environment has less influence than either genes or unique environments. But that doesn't mean family doesn't matter.

Behavior geneticists find that the shared environment has less influence than either genes or unique environments. But that doesn't mean family doesn't matter.

Genetics

Everything's a Little Bit Heritable

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on June 17, 2019

Heritability explains some of why people who are related tend to be similar, both within and between generations.

Heritability explains some of why people who are related tend to be similar, both within and between generations.

Understanding Twins

Heritable Politics

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on June 4, 2019

What does heritability tell us about why people have different opinions, or how to get to agreement?

What does heritability tell us about why people have different opinions, or how to get to agreement?

Media

You Are What You 'Like'

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on March 19, 2018

Researchers can guess your personality, education, and political orientation from seemingly unrelated data about your online behavior, as long as they have a lot of it.

Researchers can guess your personality, education, and political orientation from seemingly unrelated data about your online behavior, as long as they have a lot of it.

Genetics

Twins in Space

Jaime Derringer Ph.D. on March 16, 2018

Media outlets reported that 7 percent of Scott Kelly's DNA changed after he spent 17 months in space. What actually happened, and what we can learn from the Kelly twins' DNA?

Media outlets reported that 7 percent of Scott Kelly's DNA changed after he spent 17 months in space. What actually happened, and what we can learn from the Kelly twins' DNA?