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Causal Reasoning About Human Behavior Genetics: Synthesis and Future Directions

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Abstract

When explaining the causes of human behavior, genes are often given a special status. They are thought to relate to an intrinsic human ‘essence’, and essentialist biases have been shown to skew the way in which causation is assessed. Causal reasoning in general is subject to other pre-existing biases, including beliefs about normativity and morality. In this synthesis we show how factors which influence causal reasoning can be mapped to a framework of genetic essentialism, which reveals both the shared and unique factors underpinning biases in causal reasoning and genetic essentialism. This comparison identifies overlooked areas of research which could provide fruitful investigation, such as whether normative assessments of behaviors influence the way that genetic causes are ascribed or endorsed. We also outline the importance of distinguishing reasoning processes regarding genetic causal influences on one’s self versus others, as different cognitive processes and biases are likely to be at play.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Sir John Templeton Foundation (Genetics and Human Agency Project).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy and Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Kate E. Lynch & Paul E. Griffiths

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Kate E. Lynch

  3. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    James S. Morandini & Ilan Dar-Nimrod

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  1. Kate E. Lynch
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  2. James S. Morandini
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  4. Paul E. Griffiths
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Correspondence to Kate E. Lynch.

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Kate E. Lynch, James S. Morandini, Ilan Dar-Nimrod and Paul E. Griffiths declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Lynch, K.E., Morandini, J.S., Dar-Nimrod, I. et al. Causal Reasoning About Human Behavior Genetics: Synthesis and Future Directions. Behav Genet 49, 221–234 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-018-9909-z

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