Michael J. Meaney
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780195324273
- eISBN:
- 9780199893966
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195324273.003.0011
- Subject:
- Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology
This chapter presents an interdisciplinary study on the effect of parental care on the psychology and biology of offspring. The research program, conducted with rodents, provides a detailed model of ...
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This chapter presents an interdisciplinary study on the effect of parental care on the psychology and biology of offspring. The research program, conducted with rodents, provides a detailed model of how early environmental influences can induce profound changes in the biology of the offspring at the level of gene expression. These changes in gene expression then have a cascading effect and alter the physiology of the offspring in ways that are enduring, probably lifelong.Less
This chapter presents an interdisciplinary study on the effect of parental care on the psychology and biology of offspring. The research program, conducted with rodents, provides a detailed model of how early environmental influences can induce profound changes in the biology of the offspring at the level of gene expression. These changes in gene expression then have a cascading effect and alter the physiology of the offspring in ways that are enduring, probably lifelong.
Nikolas Rose and Joelle M. Abi-Rached
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691149608
- eISBN:
- 9781400846337
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691149608.003.0002
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Development
This chapter examines the neuromolecular and plastic brain. Ideas about plasticity and the openness of brains to environment influences, from initial evidence about nerve development, through the ...
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This chapter examines the neuromolecular and plastic brain. Ideas about plasticity and the openness of brains to environment influences, from initial evidence about nerve development, through the recognition that synaptic plasticity was the very basis of learning and memory, to evidence about the influence of environment on gene expression and the persistence throughout life of the capacity to make new neurons—all this made the neuromolecular brain seem exquisitely open to its milieu, with changes at the molecular level occurring throughout the course of a human life and thus shaping the growth, organization, and regeneration of neurons and neuronal circuits at time scales from the millisecond to the decade. This was an opportunity to explore the myriad ways in which the milieu got “under the skin,” implying an openness of these molecular processes of the brain to biography, sociality, and culture, and hence perhaps even to history and politics.Less
This chapter examines the neuromolecular and plastic brain. Ideas about plasticity and the openness of brains to environment influences, from initial evidence about nerve development, through the recognition that synaptic plasticity was the very basis of learning and memory, to evidence about the influence of environment on gene expression and the persistence throughout life of the capacity to make new neurons—all this made the neuromolecular brain seem exquisitely open to its milieu, with changes at the molecular level occurring throughout the course of a human life and thus shaping the growth, organization, and regeneration of neurons and neuronal circuits at time scales from the millisecond to the decade. This was an opportunity to explore the myriad ways in which the milieu got “under the skin,” implying an openness of these molecular processes of the brain to biography, sociality, and culture, and hence perhaps even to history and politics.
Teri Manolio
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195398441
- eISBN:
- 9780199776023
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195398441.003.0006
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
Environmental modifiers of the effects of genetic variants, or gene-environment interactions, have received increased attention in recent years due to the recognition that genetic variants alone are ...
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Environmental modifiers of the effects of genetic variants, or gene-environment interactions, have received increased attention in recent years due to the recognition that genetic variants alone are unlikely to explain most of the recent increases in chronic diseases. Such increases are more likely due to environmental and behavioral changes interacting with a genetic predisposition, suggesting that failing to identify and control environmental modifiers of disease risk could mask important associations with genetic variants or misestimate the magnitude of their effects. Identifying environmental modifiers of these variants may also be essential in mitigating the risk conferred by these variants. Population-based genetic association studies with detailed characterization of environmental exposures are critical and underused resources for identifying potential interacting factors. This chapter explores the substantial and complementary strengths offered by the two main approaches to these studies — case-control and cohort designs — in the search for the genetic and environmental influences on common diseases.Less
Environmental modifiers of the effects of genetic variants, or gene-environment interactions, have received increased attention in recent years due to the recognition that genetic variants alone are unlikely to explain most of the recent increases in chronic diseases. Such increases are more likely due to environmental and behavioral changes interacting with a genetic predisposition, suggesting that failing to identify and control environmental modifiers of disease risk could mask important associations with genetic variants or misestimate the magnitude of their effects. Identifying environmental modifiers of these variants may also be essential in mitigating the risk conferred by these variants. Population-based genetic association studies with detailed characterization of environmental exposures are critical and underused resources for identifying potential interacting factors. This chapter explores the substantial and complementary strengths offered by the two main approaches to these studies — case-control and cohort designs — in the search for the genetic and environmental influences on common diseases.
Judith Rich Harris
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195372090
- eISBN:
- 9780199893485
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195372090.003.0005
- Subject:
- Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Social Psychology
People vary in personality and social behavior. It is generally accepted that some of this variation is due to differences in genes and some to “environment”—that is, to differences in people's ...
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People vary in personality and social behavior. It is generally accepted that some of this variation is due to differences in genes and some to “environment”—that is, to differences in people's experiences. This chapter is about the latter source of individual differences, the variation that is not due to genes. More precisely, it is about theories designed to account for environmental influences on personality and social behavior by specifying some of the ways these outcomes are affected by people's experiences. The chapter begins by summarizing some of the findings that a theory of environmental influences on human behavior should be called upon to explain. It then describes a new theory designed to account for these findings. The final section examines some alternative theories.Less
People vary in personality and social behavior. It is generally accepted that some of this variation is due to differences in genes and some to “environment”—that is, to differences in people's experiences. This chapter is about the latter source of individual differences, the variation that is not due to genes. More precisely, it is about theories designed to account for environmental influences on personality and social behavior by specifying some of the ways these outcomes are affected by people's experiences. The chapter begins by summarizing some of the findings that a theory of environmental influences on human behavior should be called upon to explain. It then describes a new theory designed to account for these findings. The final section examines some alternative theories.
Daniel Romer and Elaine F. Walker (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780195306255
- eISBN:
- 9780199863914
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195306255.001.0001
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Development
Recent advances in our understanding of the human brain suggest that adolescence is a unique period of development during which both environmental and genetic influences can leave a lasting ...
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Recent advances in our understanding of the human brain suggest that adolescence is a unique period of development during which both environmental and genetic influences can leave a lasting impression. To advance the goal of integrating brain and prevention science, two areas of research which do not usually communicate with one another, the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Adolescent Risk Communication Institute held a conference with the purpose of producing an integrated book on this interdisciplinary area. Contributors were asked to address two questions: What neurodevelopmental processes in children and adolescents could be altered so that mental disorders might be prevented? And what interventions or life experiences might be able to introduce such changes? The book deals with the following: biological and social universals in development; characteristics of brain and behavior in development; effects of early maltreatment and stress on brain development; effects of stress and other environmental influences during adolescence on brain development; and reversible orders of brain development.Less
Recent advances in our understanding of the human brain suggest that adolescence is a unique period of development during which both environmental and genetic influences can leave a lasting impression. To advance the goal of integrating brain and prevention science, two areas of research which do not usually communicate with one another, the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Adolescent Risk Communication Institute held a conference with the purpose of producing an integrated book on this interdisciplinary area. Contributors were asked to address two questions: What neurodevelopmental processes in children and adolescents could be altered so that mental disorders might be prevented? And what interventions or life experiences might be able to introduce such changes? The book deals with the following: biological and social universals in development; characteristics of brain and behavior in development; effects of early maltreatment and stress on brain development; effects of stress and other environmental influences during adolescence on brain development; and reversible orders of brain development.
Todd I. Herrenkohl, Eugene Aisenberg, James Herbert Williams, and Jeffrey M. Jenson
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195369595
- eISBN:
- 9780199865215
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195369595.003.0010
- Subject:
- Social Work, Crime and Justice
This concluding chapter highlights several key findings from the preceding chapters and discuss a few particularly important topics for the next generation of research studies on violence and ...
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This concluding chapter highlights several key findings from the preceding chapters and discuss a few particularly important topics for the next generation of research studies on violence and prevention. The chapter refers to comments made elsewhere in the book about the need for broader, more inclusive definitions of violence; for more knowledge of social, structural and environmental influences; and for advances in prevention to bring about lasting changes in real world settings.Less
This concluding chapter highlights several key findings from the preceding chapters and discuss a few particularly important topics for the next generation of research studies on violence and prevention. The chapter refers to comments made elsewhere in the book about the need for broader, more inclusive definitions of violence; for more knowledge of social, structural and environmental influences; and for advances in prevention to bring about lasting changes in real world settings.
Kathleen Boykin McElhaney and Joseph P. Allen
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199736546
- eISBN:
- 9780199932443
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199736546.003.0011
- Subject:
- Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Clinical Child Psychology / School Psychology
This chapter explores how cultural and economic circumstances shape the nature, meaning, and consequences of strivings for autonomy in adolescence. It highlights research that demonstrates that the ...
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This chapter explores how cultural and economic circumstances shape the nature, meaning, and consequences of strivings for autonomy in adolescence. It highlights research that demonstrates that the ways in which parents respond to adolescent strivings for autonomy have been linked to multiple aspects of adolescent adjustment. The challenge, however, is to recognize that there are variations across cultural groups in the degree to which autonomy is valued relative to loyalty and deference to the family. In addition to variations across cultural groups in the degree to which autonomy is a cherished goal, some parents are likely to find themselves in circumstances in which environmental influences, such as dangerous neighborhoods, may propel them to exert greater control over their adolescent children in order to protect their well-being. The chapter provides a roadmap for understanding how seemingly universal goals, such as the promotion of autonomy during adolescence, may take on different meanings and be accomplished in different ways depending on context and culture.Less
This chapter explores how cultural and economic circumstances shape the nature, meaning, and consequences of strivings for autonomy in adolescence. It highlights research that demonstrates that the ways in which parents respond to adolescent strivings for autonomy have been linked to multiple aspects of adolescent adjustment. The challenge, however, is to recognize that there are variations across cultural groups in the degree to which autonomy is valued relative to loyalty and deference to the family. In addition to variations across cultural groups in the degree to which autonomy is a cherished goal, some parents are likely to find themselves in circumstances in which environmental influences, such as dangerous neighborhoods, may propel them to exert greater control over their adolescent children in order to protect their well-being. The chapter provides a roadmap for understanding how seemingly universal goals, such as the promotion of autonomy during adolescence, may take on different meanings and be accomplished in different ways depending on context and culture.
Alison P. Lenton, Lars Penke, Peter M. Todd, and Barbara Fasolo
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780195388435
- eISBN:
- 9780199950089
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195388435.003.0016
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
The specific circumstances in which an individual encounters their mate options may influence how she chooses and, ultimately, whom she chooses. In particular, the choice environment may affect the ...
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The specific circumstances in which an individual encounters their mate options may influence how she chooses and, ultimately, whom she chooses. In particular, the choice environment may affect the cues we pay attention to, how we combine them and, ultimately (and significantly), our reproductive fate. This chapter consolidates the current state of knowledge regarding choice environment effects on mating behavior. This chapter's thesis is that human mate choice is adapted to the choice environment in which it is made: We are sensitive to changes in the environment and adapt our judgments and choice strategies accordingly, thereby exhibiting ecological and social rationality—the topic of this volume. This chapter promotes the view that mating-related judgment and choice depend very much on the environmental conditions facing the chooser, while also being shaped by the past recurring conditions in which these behaviors evolved. To substantiate this perspective, the chapter describes anthropological, sociological, and psychological research showing that human mating-related judgments and choice are context-sensitive in meaningful ways. In particular, the chapter shows how the cues and strategies used in mate choice are influenced by environmental structure, considered first at the population level and second at the level of individual choosers. The chapter concludes by focusing in on one important aspect of the mate choice environment in specific modern settings and its impact on heuristic and cue use: the number of potential mates available.Less
The specific circumstances in which an individual encounters their mate options may influence how she chooses and, ultimately, whom she chooses. In particular, the choice environment may affect the cues we pay attention to, how we combine them and, ultimately (and significantly), our reproductive fate. This chapter consolidates the current state of knowledge regarding choice environment effects on mating behavior. This chapter's thesis is that human mate choice is adapted to the choice environment in which it is made: We are sensitive to changes in the environment and adapt our judgments and choice strategies accordingly, thereby exhibiting ecological and social rationality—the topic of this volume. This chapter promotes the view that mating-related judgment and choice depend very much on the environmental conditions facing the chooser, while also being shaped by the past recurring conditions in which these behaviors evolved. To substantiate this perspective, the chapter describes anthropological, sociological, and psychological research showing that human mating-related judgments and choice are context-sensitive in meaningful ways. In particular, the chapter shows how the cues and strategies used in mate choice are influenced by environmental structure, considered first at the population level and second at the level of individual choosers. The chapter concludes by focusing in on one important aspect of the mate choice environment in specific modern settings and its impact on heuristic and cue use: the number of potential mates available.
Edward B. Roberts
- Published in print:
- 1991
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195067040
- eISBN:
- 9780199854837
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195067040.003.0002
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Innovation
To determine what encourages young local scientists and engineers to follow entrepreneurial paths in the Greater Boston area, this chapter provides a broad discussion of the influences of the Greater ...
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To determine what encourages young local scientists and engineers to follow entrepreneurial paths in the Greater Boston area, this chapter provides a broad discussion of the influences of the Greater Boston environment, and especially the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) environment, on the formation of new companies. It traces the evolution of Boston's high technology community. The author cites in this chapter Cooper's argument for six different potential environmental influences and provides support for all of Cooper's variables in his discussion. Further, this chapter identifies several more critical aspects of culture and attitude that have built a local environment that fosters entrepreneurship. Some environmental forces that “push” young local scientists and engineers away from entrepreneurship are also demonstrated in this chapter.Less
To determine what encourages young local scientists and engineers to follow entrepreneurial paths in the Greater Boston area, this chapter provides a broad discussion of the influences of the Greater Boston environment, and especially the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) environment, on the formation of new companies. It traces the evolution of Boston's high technology community. The author cites in this chapter Cooper's argument for six different potential environmental influences and provides support for all of Cooper's variables in his discussion. Further, this chapter identifies several more critical aspects of culture and attitude that have built a local environment that fosters entrepreneurship. Some environmental forces that “push” young local scientists and engineers away from entrepreneurship are also demonstrated in this chapter.
Aaron Williamon (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780198525356
- eISBN:
- 9780191689345
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198525356.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Music Psychology
This book offers new perspectives and practical guidance for enhancing performance and managing the stress that typically accompanies performance situations. Specific recommendations are provided ...
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This book offers new perspectives and practical guidance for enhancing performance and managing the stress that typically accompanies performance situations. Specific recommendations are provided alongside comprehensive reviews of existing theory and research, enabling the practitioner to place the strategies and techniques within the broader context of human performance, and encouraging novel ways of conceptualizing music making and teaching. Part I sets out ground rules for achieving musical excellence. What roles do innate talent, environmental influences, and sheer hard work play in attaining eminence? How can musicians best manage the physical demands of a profession that is intrinsically arduous, throughout a career that can literally span a lifetime? How can performers, teachers, and researchers effectively assess and reflect on performance enhancement for themselves, their colleagues, and their students? Part II presents approaches for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of practice. These are examined generally for the individual and ensembles and specifically for the tasks of memorizing, sight-reading, and improvising music. Musicians spend vast amounts of time and energy acquiring and refining their skills, but are there particular rehearsal strategies that they can employ to produce better performance results or to achieve the same results more quickly? What implication does existing knowledge of human information processing and physical functioning have for musical learning and practice? Part III introduces scientifically validated methods for enhancing musical achievement, ordered from the more physical to the psychological to the pharmacological; however, they all address issues of both mental and physical significance for the musician. Collectively, they stand as clear evidence that applied, cross-disciplinary research can facilitate musicians' strives for performance excellence.Less
This book offers new perspectives and practical guidance for enhancing performance and managing the stress that typically accompanies performance situations. Specific recommendations are provided alongside comprehensive reviews of existing theory and research, enabling the practitioner to place the strategies and techniques within the broader context of human performance, and encouraging novel ways of conceptualizing music making and teaching. Part I sets out ground rules for achieving musical excellence. What roles do innate talent, environmental influences, and sheer hard work play in attaining eminence? How can musicians best manage the physical demands of a profession that is intrinsically arduous, throughout a career that can literally span a lifetime? How can performers, teachers, and researchers effectively assess and reflect on performance enhancement for themselves, their colleagues, and their students? Part II presents approaches for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of practice. These are examined generally for the individual and ensembles and specifically for the tasks of memorizing, sight-reading, and improvising music. Musicians spend vast amounts of time and energy acquiring and refining their skills, but are there particular rehearsal strategies that they can employ to produce better performance results or to achieve the same results more quickly? What implication does existing knowledge of human information processing and physical functioning have for musical learning and practice? Part III introduces scientifically validated methods for enhancing musical achievement, ordered from the more physical to the psychological to the pharmacological; however, they all address issues of both mental and physical significance for the musician. Collectively, they stand as clear evidence that applied, cross-disciplinary research can facilitate musicians' strives for performance excellence.
Emily K. Farran and Annette Karmiloff-Smith (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199594818
- eISBN:
- 9780191738166
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199594818.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology
Nowadays, it is widely accepted that there is no single influence (be it nature or nurture) on cognitive development. Cognitive abilities emerge as a result of interactions between gene expression, ...
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Nowadays, it is widely accepted that there is no single influence (be it nature or nurture) on cognitive development. Cognitive abilities emerge as a result of interactions between gene expression, cortical and subcortical brain networks, and environmental influences. In recent years, our study of neurodevelopmental disorders has provided much valuable information on how genes, brain development, behaviour, and environment interact to influence development from infancy to adulthood. This book presents evidence on development across the lifespan across these multiple levels of description (genetic, brain, cognitive, environmental). It chooses a well-defined disorder, Williams syndrome (WS), to explore the impact of genes, brain development, behaviour, as well as the individual's environment on development. WS is used as a model disorder to demonstrate the book's approach to understanding development, whilst being presented in comparison to other neurodevelopmental disorders — autism, developmental dyscalculia, Down syndrome, dyslexia, fragile X syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Specific Language Impairment, Turner syndrome — to illustrate differences in development across neurodevelopmental disorders. WS is particularly informative for exploring development. Firstly, it has been extensively researched at multiple levels: genes, brain, cognition, and behaviour as well as in terms of the difficulties of daily living and social interaction. Secondly, it has been studied across the lifespan, with many studies on infants and toddlers with WS as well as a large number on children, adolescents, and adults. The book also explores a number of domain-general and domain-specific processes in the verbal, non-verbal, and social domains, across numerous neurodevelopmental disorders. This illustrates, among other factors, the importance of developmental timing, i.e., that the development of a cognitive skill at a specific timepoint can impact on subsequent development within that domain, but also across domains. In addition, the chapters discuss the value of investigating basic-level abilities from as close to the infant start-state as possible, presenting evidence of where cross-syndrome comparisons have shed light on the cascading impacts of subtle similarities and discrepancies in early delay or deviance, on subsequent development.Less
Nowadays, it is widely accepted that there is no single influence (be it nature or nurture) on cognitive development. Cognitive abilities emerge as a result of interactions between gene expression, cortical and subcortical brain networks, and environmental influences. In recent years, our study of neurodevelopmental disorders has provided much valuable information on how genes, brain development, behaviour, and environment interact to influence development from infancy to adulthood. This book presents evidence on development across the lifespan across these multiple levels of description (genetic, brain, cognitive, environmental). It chooses a well-defined disorder, Williams syndrome (WS), to explore the impact of genes, brain development, behaviour, as well as the individual's environment on development. WS is used as a model disorder to demonstrate the book's approach to understanding development, whilst being presented in comparison to other neurodevelopmental disorders — autism, developmental dyscalculia, Down syndrome, dyslexia, fragile X syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Specific Language Impairment, Turner syndrome — to illustrate differences in development across neurodevelopmental disorders. WS is particularly informative for exploring development. Firstly, it has been extensively researched at multiple levels: genes, brain, cognition, and behaviour as well as in terms of the difficulties of daily living and social interaction. Secondly, it has been studied across the lifespan, with many studies on infants and toddlers with WS as well as a large number on children, adolescents, and adults. The book also explores a number of domain-general and domain-specific processes in the verbal, non-verbal, and social domains, across numerous neurodevelopmental disorders. This illustrates, among other factors, the importance of developmental timing, i.e., that the development of a cognitive skill at a specific timepoint can impact on subsequent development within that domain, but also across domains. In addition, the chapters discuss the value of investigating basic-level abilities from as close to the infant start-state as possible, presenting evidence of where cross-syndrome comparisons have shed light on the cascading impacts of subtle similarities and discrepancies in early delay or deviance, on subsequent development.
Françoys Gagné and Gary E. McPherson
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780199685851
- eISBN:
- 9780191806049
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199685851.003.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Music Psychology, Developmental Psychology
We survey three interlocking talent development models: the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), the Developmental Model for Natural Abilities (DMNA), and their merging into a ...
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We survey three interlocking talent development models: the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), the Developmental Model for Natural Abilities (DMNA), and their merging into a Comprehensive Model of Talent Development (CMTD). The authors use the CMTD framework to analyse the phenomenon of musical prodigiousness, defined as a quantitatively extreme level of talent (T component). We then explore the gifts (G component) that contribute to musical prodigiousness, as well as its typical developmental process (D component). Two types of catalytic causal influences are explored: intrapersonal characteristics (I component) and environmental influences (E component). Within each section, we briefly discuss the biological foundations of the various constructs. We finally integrate these five analyses into a dynamic developmental perspective and propose a tentative answer to the key question: “Which causal influences better ‘explain’ the early manifestation and development of musical prodigiousness?” In other words: “What makes a difference?”Less
We survey three interlocking talent development models: the Differentiating Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT), the Developmental Model for Natural Abilities (DMNA), and their merging into a Comprehensive Model of Talent Development (CMTD). The authors use the CMTD framework to analyse the phenomenon of musical prodigiousness, defined as a quantitatively extreme level of talent (T component). We then explore the gifts (G component) that contribute to musical prodigiousness, as well as its typical developmental process (D component). Two types of catalytic causal influences are explored: intrapersonal characteristics (I component) and environmental influences (E component). Within each section, we briefly discuss the biological foundations of the various constructs. We finally integrate these five analyses into a dynamic developmental perspective and propose a tentative answer to the key question: “Which causal influences better ‘explain’ the early manifestation and development of musical prodigiousness?” In other words: “What makes a difference?”
Helen E. Longino
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780226492872
- eISBN:
- 9780226921822
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226921822.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science
This chapter discusses social-environmental approaches to studying human behavior, covering methods, scope, and assumptions. Social-environmental approaches seek to understand the environmental ...
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This chapter discusses social-environmental approaches to studying human behavior, covering methods, scope, and assumptions. Social-environmental approaches seek to understand the environmental contribution to the development and expression of various behaviors. The aim is to identify aspects of the social environment that may have an effect on the behavior of interest. Some studies focus on the familial environment, considering, for example, parents' attitudes and interactions with their children. Others look beyond to the school environment, and peer relations, or media exposure.Less
This chapter discusses social-environmental approaches to studying human behavior, covering methods, scope, and assumptions. Social-environmental approaches seek to understand the environmental contribution to the development and expression of various behaviors. The aim is to identify aspects of the social environment that may have an effect on the behavior of interest. Some studies focus on the familial environment, considering, for example, parents' attitudes and interactions with their children. Others look beyond to the school environment, and peer relations, or media exposure.
Michael Windle (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780262034685
- eISBN:
- 9780262335522
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262034685.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Biomathematics / Statistics and Data Analysis / Complexity Studies
Findings from the Human Genome Project and from Genome-Wide Association (GWA) studies indicate that many diseases and traits manifest a more complex genomic pattern than previously assumed. These ...
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Findings from the Human Genome Project and from Genome-Wide Association (GWA) studies indicate that many diseases and traits manifest a more complex genomic pattern than previously assumed. These findings, and advances in high-throughput sequencing, suggest that there are many sources of influence—genetic, epigenetic, and environmental. This volume investigates the role of the interactions of genes and environment (G × E) in diseases and traits (referred to by the contributors as complex phenotypes) including depression, diabetes, obesity, and substance use. The contributors first present different statistical approaches or strategies to address G × E and G × G interactions with high-throughput sequenced data, including two-stage procedures to identify G × E and G × G interactions, marker-set approaches to assessing interactions at the gene level, and the use of a partial-least square (PLS) approach. The contributors then turn to specific complex phenotypes, research designs, or combined methods that may advance the study of G × E interactions, considering such topics as randomized clinical trials in obesity research, longitudinal research designs and statistical models, and the development of polygenic scores to investigate G × E interactions. Contributors Fatima Umber Ahmed, Yin-Hsiu Chen, James Y. Dai, Caroline Y. Doyle, Zihuai He, Li Hsu, Shuo Jiao, Erin Loraine Kinnally, Yi-An Ko, Charles Kooperberg, Seunggeun Lee, Arnab Maity, Jeanne M. McCaffery, Bhramar Mukherjee, Sung Kyun Park, Duncan C. Thomas, Alexandre Todorov, Jung-Ying Tzeng, Tao Wang, Michael Windle, Min ZhangLess
Findings from the Human Genome Project and from Genome-Wide Association (GWA) studies indicate that many diseases and traits manifest a more complex genomic pattern than previously assumed. These findings, and advances in high-throughput sequencing, suggest that there are many sources of influence—genetic, epigenetic, and environmental. This volume investigates the role of the interactions of genes and environment (G × E) in diseases and traits (referred to by the contributors as complex phenotypes) including depression, diabetes, obesity, and substance use. The contributors first present different statistical approaches or strategies to address G × E and G × G interactions with high-throughput sequenced data, including two-stage procedures to identify G × E and G × G interactions, marker-set approaches to assessing interactions at the gene level, and the use of a partial-least square (PLS) approach. The contributors then turn to specific complex phenotypes, research designs, or combined methods that may advance the study of G × E interactions, considering such topics as randomized clinical trials in obesity research, longitudinal research designs and statistical models, and the development of polygenic scores to investigate G × E interactions. Contributors Fatima Umber Ahmed, Yin-Hsiu Chen, James Y. Dai, Caroline Y. Doyle, Zihuai He, Li Hsu, Shuo Jiao, Erin Loraine Kinnally, Yi-An Ko, Charles Kooperberg, Seunggeun Lee, Arnab Maity, Jeanne M. McCaffery, Bhramar Mukherjee, Sung Kyun Park, Duncan C. Thomas, Alexandre Todorov, Jung-Ying Tzeng, Tao Wang, Michael Windle, Min Zhang
Kenneth F. Schaffner
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780195171402
- eISBN:
- 9780190464103
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195171402.003.0002
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Moral Philosophy
Chapters 1 (and 2) provide a common basis and a vocabulary for appreciating the contours of behavioral and psychiatric genetics. There are three dialogues between a behavioral geneticist and an ...
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Chapters 1 (and 2) provide a common basis and a vocabulary for appreciating the contours of behavioral and psychiatric genetics. There are three dialogues between a behavioral geneticist and an appeals court judge who wishes to find out more about behavioral genetics for eventual use in her court cases. The distinction between classical quantitative genetics and modern molecular genetics is introduced. In the former, no specific genes are identified, though heritability estimates are provided. The contentious concept of "heritability" is analyzed in detail and its limitations delineated in the first dialogue. A simple mathematical argument is sketched to show how twin studies yield heritabilities and environmental influences for both traits and disorders, and the critical assumptions of such studies are summarized. The chapter closes with an analysis of the shared and nonshared environment issue and a sketch of what is known as an ACE diagram.Less
Chapters 1 (and 2) provide a common basis and a vocabulary for appreciating the contours of behavioral and psychiatric genetics. There are three dialogues between a behavioral geneticist and an appeals court judge who wishes to find out more about behavioral genetics for eventual use in her court cases. The distinction between classical quantitative genetics and modern molecular genetics is introduced. In the former, no specific genes are identified, though heritability estimates are provided. The contentious concept of "heritability" is analyzed in detail and its limitations delineated in the first dialogue. A simple mathematical argument is sketched to show how twin studies yield heritabilities and environmental influences for both traits and disorders, and the critical assumptions of such studies are summarized. The chapter closes with an analysis of the shared and nonshared environment issue and a sketch of what is known as an ACE diagram.
Elizabeth Weiss
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- May 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780813054988
- eISBN:
- 9780813053707
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813054988.003.0007
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Methodology and Techniques
This chapter concludes with the major theme that ran through the previous chapters; how much of each of these skeletal activity reconstruction features are a result of environmental influences (i.e., ...
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This chapter concludes with the major theme that ran through the previous chapters; how much of each of these skeletal activity reconstruction features are a result of environmental influences (i.e., activities) and how much of the variation in these features are a result of genes. Biological confounds, which are largely genetic, have been found in all of the skeletal features covered in the previous chapters. For example, evolutionary body type rules (i.e., Bergmann’s and Allen’s Rules) affect measures of cross-sectional geometries. Plus, age is known to increase entheseal change scores. Furthermore, twin studies have revealed hereditary etiologies for osteoarthritis and Schmorl’s nodes. Yet, not all of the variance is genetic and, thus, the question remains whether skeletal indicators of activity can still be used to reconstruct activity patterns. Methods that avoid circular reasoning and aim to use only skeletal features with predictive validity should be the ultimate goal for those studying skeletal remains. If skeletal indicators of activity cannot be used to reconstruct what people did in the past, then perhaps these skeletal features can help in other ways, such as improving age estimates or drawing better conclusions about biological relatedness.Less
This chapter concludes with the major theme that ran through the previous chapters; how much of each of these skeletal activity reconstruction features are a result of environmental influences (i.e., activities) and how much of the variation in these features are a result of genes. Biological confounds, which are largely genetic, have been found in all of the skeletal features covered in the previous chapters. For example, evolutionary body type rules (i.e., Bergmann’s and Allen’s Rules) affect measures of cross-sectional geometries. Plus, age is known to increase entheseal change scores. Furthermore, twin studies have revealed hereditary etiologies for osteoarthritis and Schmorl’s nodes. Yet, not all of the variance is genetic and, thus, the question remains whether skeletal indicators of activity can still be used to reconstruct activity patterns. Methods that avoid circular reasoning and aim to use only skeletal features with predictive validity should be the ultimate goal for those studying skeletal remains. If skeletal indicators of activity cannot be used to reconstruct what people did in the past, then perhaps these skeletal features can help in other ways, such as improving age estimates or drawing better conclusions about biological relatedness.
Markus Heilig
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231172363
- eISBN:
- 9780231539029
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231172363.003.0004
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
This chapter argues that addiction is inherently a chronic, relapsing disease, not much different from diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or asthma. Similar to those diseases, the risk for ...
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This chapter argues that addiction is inherently a chronic, relapsing disease, not much different from diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or asthma. Similar to those diseases, the risk for developing addiction has a strong genetic component. Likewise, the development and course of addiction are determined by an intricate interplay among genetic risk factors, environmental influences, and behavioral choices. Addiction cannot currently be cured but can be managed with a degree of success that is sufficient to allow patients to live a good life. If not managed, it disables, kills, and leads to significant costs and suffering. For these conditions, long-term disease management that combines pharmacological and behavioral approaches is an undisputed norm, and success is hardly assessed by the number of people completely cured of their ailment. At the same time, we continue to debate whether addiction really is a medical condition; focus on short-term fixes such as detoxification or twenty-eight-day residential programs; see anything other than complete abstinence as a failure; and frequently view the harm caused by addiction as self-inflicted.Less
This chapter argues that addiction is inherently a chronic, relapsing disease, not much different from diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or asthma. Similar to those diseases, the risk for developing addiction has a strong genetic component. Likewise, the development and course of addiction are determined by an intricate interplay among genetic risk factors, environmental influences, and behavioral choices. Addiction cannot currently be cured but can be managed with a degree of success that is sufficient to allow patients to live a good life. If not managed, it disables, kills, and leads to significant costs and suffering. For these conditions, long-term disease management that combines pharmacological and behavioral approaches is an undisputed norm, and success is hardly assessed by the number of people completely cured of their ailment. At the same time, we continue to debate whether addiction really is a medical condition; focus on short-term fixes such as detoxification or twenty-eight-day residential programs; see anything other than complete abstinence as a failure; and frequently view the harm caused by addiction as self-inflicted.
