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Genes, Environments and Life Trajectories

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Oedipus Rex in the Genomic Era
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Abstract

This chapter explores insights into human behaviour, generated by behavioural genetics, illustrating genetic concepts with Sophocles’ text. The chapter examines adoption; blood relations and lineage; and similarities and differences of family members. It explores latest findings in behavioural genetics, focusing on gene-environment interplay, including how chance interacts with genes to shape our life trajectories. The chapter discusses how people have always known, worried and were in awe of genetic effects. Finally, it examines people’s inconsistent beliefs about the origins of individual differences.

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Kovas, Y., Selita, F. (2021). Genes, Environments and Life Trajectories. In: Oedipus Rex in the Genomic Era. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-96048-4_2

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