How Do Genes Influence Our Behaviour? - Robert Plomin | Modern Wisdom Podcast 353

[@ChrisWillx]

Yes team. Here's the timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:42 What are Behavioural Genetics? 04:22 Nature & Nurture 17:52 How Genetics Are Studied 22:39 Biggest Ever Twin Study 27:39 Do Genes Influence Behaviour & Health? 36:32 Heritability of Different Traits 50:09 Seeking Happiness 55:57 Heritability of Sexual Preference 58:41 Do Children Behave Like Their Parents? 1:03:22 Non-Genetic Impacts on Behaviour 1:09:54 Educating Children on Genetics 1:23:38 DNA Dating 1:29:51 Increasing Equality of Opportunity 1:35:08 Living With Acceptance of Genetics 1:39:49 Where to Find Robert

[@heerakbasu4879]

Absolutely fascinating

[@DarachDuffy]

For me this has been the most valuable podcast you’ve done. Bought the audiobook. I’ve somehow known about the quantitative scale of ‘mental disorders’ and how categories are nonsensical due to complexities but not been able to articulate it so well until now. Absolutely excellent from both.

[@yengsabio5315]

This is a great interview, Chris! It's a good refresher on the state-of-the-art in behavioral genetics.

[@ChrisWillx]

Thank you man, I love this topic

[@yengsabio5315]

@@ChrisWillx Same here! Lots'a love, cheers, & Mabuhay, from tropical Philippines!

[@mattball3118]

I very much relate to Robert on the food issue. I was obese for most of my life and the things he was saying really rang true for me. Being full but still eating what's left after a meal. Having certain trigger foods that I'm unable to stop eating (except for me it's not fresh bread, it's biscuits and picos). Avoiding these is the best strategy for me.

[@jpw2184]

I'll never forget that Robert bought me my first Guinness in a London pub after a talk :)

[@ChrisWillx]

Ha! That's a sick story

[@kyleschneider1718]

Nice! Cheers! 🍻

[@Romie15]

Great interview! There is so much to learn in this episode that I think that I'll have to watch it again. Robert Plomin is awesome!

[@rebelScience]

Amazing host and the guest! Thank you so much for high quality content that makes us think.

[@ChrisWillx]

Please, continue the flattery...

[@hugor1338]

@@ChrisWillx Justified though. Real spark between you two, and that isn't always guaranteed in interviews with the great Professor Plomin.

[@TheDhammaHub]

It is pretty amazing how big the influence really is.

[@ChrisWillx]

Literally the most influential thing on your life occurred before you were born. Crazy.

[@TheDhammaHub]

It not that new even, in the east, they just called "inherited influences" Karma as they had no physical thing they could attach it to

[@jabbrewoki]

@@TheDhammaHub And speaks to the importance of lineage, ancestors, and royal lines to ancient peoples who recognized "like father, like son". Soon enough, many people claimed to be descended from heroes, demi-gods and kings a little too often if you know what I mean.

[@vickimann3262]

It sounds like biblical principles and language, the generational blessings and curses.

[@jasonroberts5456]

I almost never comment on videos - but this is one of the best interviews out there. So good. Thanks for this. Subscribed.

[@ChrisWillx]

Thanks Jason, I’ve been looking forward to speaking to Robert for a year. It came out even better than I’d expected!

[@tyrecies]

Great video guest. Thank you

[@stevecooper7883]

3:15 very important to remember. The other people around you really are experiencing the same experiences you are feeling. Your empathy for them is validated.

[@badbluetahoe]

Robert hit the genetic lottery when it comes to intelligence. Holy cow.

[@randr302]

I'm so confused why this doesn't have millions of veiws⁉️⁉️what a great conversation.

[@lnc-to4ku]

Love this guest, such a great conversation!!

[@searose6192]

46:00 *Contentment* is the word you are looking for I think.

[@kronos458]

It's 100 on spot.We analyse enviromental factors, family bonds, when a chance, unpredictable events really shape us as we are

[@Lc27896]

Read the book a while ago. Fascinating. Loved this podcast.

[@ChrisWillx]

Thanks Linda. Robert is a force of nature.

[@danepaulstewart8464]

SO MUCH here that tells us not about who we are, but WHAT we are. …. Fascinating. 👍👍

[@ericdraven3654]

I love this podcast.

[@ruth.rochelle]

Fascinating! But, I've never understand why people are so shocked that genetics play a big part.... it seems like common sense.

[@joshwillingham4592]

Because they don't want them to. People want very strongly to believe that anyone is capable of achieving anything despite it being demonstrably untrue. People want to believe that we act based purely off our own conscious choice and will despite the fact that most people don't even actually actively think about the majority of decisions they make through the day. The more that behavior is determined by genetics, the more a person's life is ruled by factors beyond their control.

[@ruth.rochelle]

@@joshwillingham4592 Agreed! And yet they also want to believe that everything they do, or dont do, is because of their parents, teachers and society's innate failings. Its really head in the sand behavior, imho.sad.

[@joshwillingham4592]

@@ruth.rochelle Sure, but at the very least environment can be at least potentially altered. It allows for a degree of control to remain. At the very minimum it gives you someone to blame. If a large degree of behavior is determined by genetics and you got a bad draw, not only can you not really do anything about it but you can't even reasonably direct anger at other people for it. If you got screwed in the genetic lottery, acknowledging how much that really means fosters a feeling of helplessness that is utterly terrifying.

[@ruth.rochelle]

@@joshwillingham4592 I prefer to live in truth, which is where I differ from those that blame-shift. TY for the interchange.

[@martynspooner5822]

It is strange that even in families that some kids get the good genes of both parents and some seem to get the worst. I knew two sisters as a kid where one was stunningly beautiful and the other really didn't have the same luck which is the nicest way I can say it.

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

Not that strange. Genetics is a mixed bag. Looks are insignificant compared to health/genetic fortitude. And the most important things aren't genetic anyway, like character.

[@martynspooner5822]

@@legalfictionnaturalfact3969 Yes completely agree

[@ruth.rochelle]

LOL

[@catnolikevegetals2662]

@@legalfictionnaturalfact3969 wait, I agree with most of your reply, but character isn't genetic? I thought it's nature and nurture (intentional or not).

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

@@catnolikevegetals2662 what? "nature" in this context = genetic. the nurture part is not. and no, character is not genetic. it is choice. everyone should choose to be the most morally upstanding person she can be and follow her calling. THAT is beauty.

[@samsarra100]

Great interview, would have loved to have heard Robert's take on epigenetics and how environmental factors can change gene expression

[@hugor1338]

Clutching at epigenetics is mostly just cope by blank slatists because their whole world has been blown away. I used to be one: embrace the science.

[@Curitibaas]

Awesome podcast!🤠

[@lewismortimer2573]

Great video, thanks. Robert Plomin sounds a bit like John Malkovich lol

[@AdrianMulligan]

I love this show!

[@ChrisWillx]

Thank ya 🤌

[@martynspooner5822]

A really interesting discussion, I really enjoyed it. I wonder what is coming in the future as do probably many. I am sure genetics will play its part.

[@ivantsanov3650]

Outstanding

[@petermathieson5692]

May I suggest you follow Glen Loury's lead, marshall your courage, and interview Charles Murray.

[@SP-mf9sh]

So I guess we don't entirely have free will then. Great interview.

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

Nature and nurture are not at odds. They work together.

[@searose6192]

I am not certain I completely agree with his explanation of the heritability of IQ going up because of a snowball effect. The theory I have heard is that during childhood you are more vulnerable to environmental effects (abuse for instance) that can suppress the expression of your innate intelligence, and as you gain more agency over your life, you are able to meet your potential more fully.

[@allenharrelliii7424]

How does epigenetics apply?

[@stevecooper7883]

Far more than we care to admit. Once the understanding of weight comes to the natural conclusion of epigenetic factors rather than genetic factors (who on Earth has ancestors who were overweight in medieval times?) there will be immense progress in understanding environmental risks on babies in utero

[@notraxxful]

Wow. This one was good.

[@shosugino6716]

The problem with getting what you want is that you get what you wanted. -Neil Gaiman

[@clintonknight9798]

Genetic Lottery is what I call it.

[@stevecooper7883]

Still, we can surely make a lot out of the lot we are given in life. CEOs are hardly the smartest men in the room

[@ndndndnnduwjqams]

50:00 Happiness Hedonic adaptation 53:00 Stoicism 1:13:00 The stoics say: this is a challenge, instead of saying ohh no again this is happening and the stoics would say, think about it as a challenge. Do what you can with what you've got and do it know and make a plan, and don't waste your time with negative emotions because they don't do any good 1:30:00 Equality of opportunities

[@OfZeitgeist]

13:00 I think you'll find that sugar is the culprit of weight gain and not feeling full. Cut out carbs and the weight goes.

[@chrisdraper845]

I agree that sugar is a major driving force around weight. However what works for one person simply won’t work for everybody. Cutting out carbs won’t work for everyone. It would be great if it was that simple, but everyone is individual when it comes to diet variation and exercise. It’s good that it worked for you however (I’m assuming this from your comment). But it’s something that is not generally understood and is often the reason people give up when trying to lose weight and get healthy.

[@HueghMungus]

@@chrisdraper845 I think the video explained it. Everyone can cut the carbs and eat lean, but not everyone can or have the will to do so. Like the guy in the video said.

[@paddleed6176]

Because japanese people don't eat carbs, amirite.

[@chrisdraper845]

@@paddleed6176 I have no idea mate. But if true, then they’ve done that all their life. Their body is adapted to that way of life from infancy. Totally different.

[@householdone7559]

Good to hear him say that luck plays a larger role in life than ppl usually think. Nicholas Naseem Taleb wrote "Fooled by randomness" - really complicated book (i didnt get through it admittedly) to say... there's a lot more luck in life than you think. The Romans used to thank the goddes fortuna if something went right for them. "Thank luck" Now.. nothing of the sort. "I am here due to hard work and nothing else" - say ppl like boris johnson who has failed at everything and is still where he is.

[@kellyf6642]

Awesome!! 💪

[@ChrisWillx]

My pleasure

[@JoshKings-tr2vc]

Very good video. Vectors not Linear. Multiple variables affect results (or multiple results).

[@MeanBeanComedy]

Could there be a genetic propensity to delay gratification and eat healthful and exercise?

[@vhjul6016]

Yes, its called iq

[@MeanBeanComedy]

@@vhjul6016 😉👍🏻

[@robertmacdonaldch5105]

1:21:00 He really steps away from his field of study here and starts interjecting his personal politics as he attacks private schools. His argument isnt being backed by data nor is it logical. His own research contradicts his position. He has already stated that we should help children find their niche and enable them to pursue it. So a private school takes in the better students and gives them more educational resources, it's no different than a parent providing an avid reader with more books It's also wrong to say England is the only nation like this, because in America we have various levels of school choice which allows this to happen by choice

[@afifahhamilton8843]

My 2 year old can read, fluently, including use of all speech marks/question marks/exclamation marks etc. No spelling out needed, she can just read, because we read to her, things that interested her, (Flower Fairy books for example) and we pointed at the words, either using our finger or her index finger. So it's not just whole words that she can read, it's whole sentences. She is now 2 yrs and 10 months, and she's been reading for six months.

[@The_Scouts_Code]

“…because we read to her…” No, you read to her for the same reason that she can read - above average intelligence.

[@afifahhamilton8843]

@@The_Scouts_Code You might well be correct. Of course her IQ is not testable as such, but her mother ranked as in the top 1% of IQ when she was invited to join Mensa when aged 16. Her father is also very bright, though never had his IQ tested. My point is that I think I have found a way to teach little uns to read, by selecting a nice story/poem etc, and, with the child in the right frame of mind/mood, and using their right index finger to point at the words, to read the words to the child. I think I might have alighted on a method to teach reading by combining the neurology of the pointing finger of the child and their attention, to the reading of the words by the adult, in a food, fun, happy state together. I really want a trial of this method to see just how effective is for all children. It may be that children with high IQs find it effective, but I suspect it'll be really helpful, to differing degrees but universally (ish) for all children. Much much better than 'phonics' or whatever they do in school. Thanks for your comment.

[@BernardS4]

Would finding happiness with what you have be joy? There is little discussion about the difference between joy and happy

[@Canyoubuildlegos]

Perhaps that would be contentment?

[@afifahhamilton8843]

In some cases, the high IQ and high ability kids are taken out of school and home educated, as school is so naff!

[@paulleader4]

Reading this I can't help but think of all the brave young men who have died in war

[@thestonecutters6177]

stephan moly tried to go down this line 10 years ago

[@stigcc]

Plomin stays away from the group difference aspect. As long as you keep the discussion on the individual level, you should be safe. The portion of the group difference caused by genes should be similar to the heritability of the trait, though ;)

[@thestonecutters6177]

people will try to cancel this

[@steves6918]

Interview Stefan Molyneux at some point. He's been talking about this for a while.. before he was kicked off KZbin.

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

Ugh, no. Everyone would unsub.

[@steves6918]

@@legalfictionnaturalfact3969 Because ideas are scary? Do you actually know what his philosophy is? Or just what you've heard about him?

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

@@steves6918 lol. molyneux is a misogynist clown, hon. he is part of the reason you're incel.

[@steves6918]

@@legalfictionnaturalfact3969 😂 Sorry to burst your bubble sweetheart. Happily married with 4 kiddos. But go on, tell me more about incels...

[@steves6918]

@@legalfictionnaturalfact3969 Let me guess.. He's a Nazi too, right? If you actually knew anything about him, you'd know he isn't misogynistic. He's a stay at home father. You're clearly ignorant.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I love food. I'm old. I have a very poor tolerance of sugar/carbs - my father's diabetic. I eat lots of veg and protein. I exercise hard regularly. I limit my sugar/carb intake. I recognise my genes are probably playing a part in my health and so I work around them.

[@MeanBeanComedy]

I don't think the new thumbnails are working, brother. Content is as good as ever, though! 😁👍🏻

[@piptar1996]

Just starting to listen, hope I'll finish it but one thing comes to mind from MANY years ago, lyrics of song by The Smiths: DOES THE MIND RULE THE BODY OR DOES THE BODY RULE THE MIND

[@ChrisWillx]

The genes rule both I think!

[@petermathieson5692]

Hard left at 1:22:20: get rid of private schools or make them take 50% "disadvantaged". Why not 100%? Hey, why not ship those private school kids to public schools in Africa. Mao's Cultural Revolution Ii. Vision of the Annointed.

[@hugor1338]

I used to think this was part of Plomin's camouflage tactics to avoid getting cancelled. The main point is to demonstrate that the values judgments are not determined by the empirical findings.

[@garydaly]

I wonder how much if my formative years 5-18 has impacted on my life both through nature & Nurture. I’m 55 now and via anecdotal social measurement I have turned out on the whole as a life loser. In that I’m single, divorced, lonely, drinker (ex smoker), grumpy, fluctuating weight throughout my life from fit and lean to obese and currently pudgy. My dad killed himself when I was ten, my mother freaked out and started drinking heavily, this was the 1970s and my mother was extremely promiscuous, an assembly line of men (occasionally women). Finally she married a much younger man who had lived at home with his father and mother. The first morning I met him he kicked me really hard because I was mucking about whilst he and my mother slept in from a big boozy night. He made sure to keep me in line so he would punch me in the face once a month. However, it was his intimidating, bullying & aggressive daily behaviour that scared the living fuck out of me. He liked occasionally waking me up at 3-4am and he would berate me for chores I had done badly and tell me that I didn’t respect him (I didn’t ). During these talks he would poke my chest hard and occasionally slap me. I was a hopeless school student, unable to concentrate or take part in the social community of school. I left home at 18 and I was utterly confused and unable to function. I have tried to straighten myself out with therapy, reading and trying to live a good life. However, I am not sure that my inability to succeed has got to do with my childhood or my genetics disposition to be lazy, scared, afraid and anxious that when I reflect led me to avoid positive work and social opportunities provided. So now as a 55 year old I am filled with bitterness, envy, jealousy and self loathing. So depending on genetics, nurture and self determination I wonder if no matter how different those three elements were would I still be the same man today? Interesting talk.

[@chrisdraper845]

Wow! I would say a lot of it developed through nurture, or lack thereof. It’s great that you have made an effort to be a better person throughout your life despite what happened to you. That’s all we can do at the end of the day, try to be our best selves. But it takes constant work and failure to do it. As long as we make the effort, that is the core value of our own merit. Keep at it! Never stop, despite the failures or misgivings you may have. It can be hard not letting our negative past play a part in who we are.

[@Larkful_Dodger]

Have you considered that you might have ADHD?

[@The_Scouts_Code]

You need a redeemer. Jesus saves. He came for the failures - the sinners, corrupt tax collectors, thieves, harlots. As you stand there beating your chest not even daring to look up to heaven, ask him to redeem your life. Read luke 18:9-14. It’s one of my favourites.

[@juliettailor1616]

Yes I don't think Plomin takes account the effect of trauma on a person in their formative years.

[@oxydayz]

you've clearly done better for your children than your parents did for you, so you'll always have that.

[@kalleskaviar25]

Blueprint litteraly just arrived, I'm sitting with the book right beside me and now this shows up. Dafuq?!?

[@ChrisWillx]

Some times the simulation shouts louder than others.

[@ruth.rochelle]

Maybe you have the genetic sequence for ESP. Lol

[@timeisup3094]

Please invite Robert Sapolsky on your show and get his opinion on this topic.

[@patriciakohler7161]

I find it interesting that genetics having an influence on behavior, psychological disorders etc is such a touchy subject and that people so vehemently disagree. I believe it's both. Nature and nurture. But the nature puts you at higher or lower risks of things when it comes to how the nurture effects you. When I started researching this for my psych paper I was kind of shocked that it wouldn't be common knowledge, and we are now able to research it due to technology. When I went to donate my eggs, I filled out a big packet! They not only asked about my families health history, but specifically asked about several behavior disorders, psychological disorders etc and those who deny this, are only doing so because of the time period when the US and many other countries had a eugenics movement. That the only concern they have is A. Those with no morality, ethics or compassion may have sinister plans, B. Those who perform experiments that are harmful or use the info in a similar fashion to eugenics don't want the public to know so they aren't found out, and C. Those who fear with this being common knowledge that sinister things will start or restart. They wouldn't ask me when I volunteer to help someone have a baby questions about schizophrenia and whether any family member are diagnosed with this for instance. I just found this really odd and I agree with Robert. I love how he explains this as well. He does a very good job. It is more then genetics, it's also hormones that contributes to behavior, and definitely nurture. I raised my children the way he described as well.

[@Mike-c8x]

10:18 51:40

[@comeonman5667]

The head start program failed because the children in the program were essentially indistinguishable from the control group. Equal opportunity takes as many authoritarian measures as equal outcomes.

[@---_277]

Genes from one parent come from two other parents and on and on. When these genes mix together they must work differently as they associate with others. So the whole thing is really a big melting pot of mixed genes.. its why siblings differ so much. Interesting to study identical twins though..interesting conversation..must get the book.

[@ChrisWillx]

The book is fascinating. Enjoy

[@stigcc]

I think you can only measure the effect from the grandparents. The kids average lies between the parents average and the grandparents average. This is something animal breeders have known for ages.

[@armandoc.3150]

Wow lol this dude went off his rocker around 50 mins in lol 1:09:16 and that’s why, Jesus is the truth! I agree! Lmao

[@WanBarmawi]

I know some twins who are both gay, but others are gay and straight. Can someome explain me about this?

[@petermathieson5692]

Oh, evil .meritocracy. I for one don't want anyone who actually merits an engineering degree designing the bridge or airplane I'm on, and I'm sure Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos don't want them designing their rockets!!!

[@brada1803]

I'm sorry, call me crazy - Why so many heaters in what appears to be a small bedroom?

[@hugor1338]

So, is Boris going to give Plomin the knighthood he deserves? Then I remember the guy's American.

[@davekubala544]

i bet Sigmund Freud never came off a farm because any farmer knows how Trates are passed down from parents to children when breading animals.

[@VeritasIncrebresco]

15:44 I can't help but hear Free Willy while he's talking about obese people. I'll leave now.

[@davidhunt7427]

Usually one doesn't tell anyone they are *not* alright just the way they are,.. and they never would be,.. because of immutable characteristics that are utterly outside anyone's hands. You see,.. I am 67 years old,.. but I am also white, male, born in America in the 1950's with two loving parents in a household full of books and classical music,.. and then you can take half or more of all those unearned but appreciated attributes away,.. by making me autistic?!? For me this meant, that as well as being physically inept, I also suffered from an absolute revulsion to the idea of having power over another person. I utterly abhorred the _Lord of the Flies_ behavior of my childhood peers. Which tended to make me very unappealing to hypergamous women when I became an adult. Most of all in my life I wanted to marry, have children, and not to divorce. Being my father's only son (child even), who was his father's only son, who was also his father's only son, I thought it important to have children myself. But, being autistic, my three marriage proposals were all refused, and I faced a great deal of involuntary unemployment. You see,.. I was conceived as a broken person, who could never _fix_ my autism, no matter how much I was insulted and defamed by my peers in vain efforts to have me _fix_ myself. I am not trying to invoke a pity party here,.. but simply to point out there are a great many factors that are outside our control,.. even when born white, male, within a healthy marriage, with a good mind (IQ 127+),.. that will likely still derail anyone who is so unfortunate. Look up the divorce statistics for autistic men and you may realized, as I have, that I probably got off lucky never being married, only to then be inevitably divorced. *_There are many who find a good alibi far more attractive than an achievement. For an achievement does not settle anything permanently. We still have to prove our worth anew each day: we have to prove that we are as good today as we were yesterday. But when we have a valid alibi for not achieving anything we are fixed, so to speak, for life._* ~ Eric Hoffer Of course I worry that I've allowed myself to embrace Eric's dictum,.. and I should,.. but sometimes we need to give ourselves a break also. If the modern science is to be believed, I was conceived this way and can be held no more responsible for this condition than if I had been born blind or deaf. But being blind and deaf can be readily recognized by everyone. Autism is far trickier. As an obviously intelligent person, certainly it should be readily possible for me to _choose_ to value what most everyone values,.. but it isn't possible. I could fake it, mask it,.. wing it for awhile,.. but it's not whom I would ever authentically be. And so women/nature have edited me out of the gene pool. It's probably a wise decision. But it still hurts like a-son-of-a-bitch!! *_If you do not want what I want, please try not to tell me that my want is wrong. Or if my beliefs are different from yours, at least pause before you set out to correct them. Or if my emotion seems less or more intense than yours, given the same circumstances, try not to ask me to feel other than I do. Or if I act, or fail to act, in the manner of your design for action, please let me be. I do not, for the moment at least, ask you to understand me. That will come only when you are willing to give up trying to change me into a copy of you._* ~ David Keirsey, _Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence_

[@wades623]

so gattica isnt really so much scifi anymore...

[@householdone7559]

Curious about IQ and my kids. My wife has an IQ of around 140+ Mine is probably around 100 I'd be ok with kids with 120 IQ Problem is i spend more time with them than my wife does due to her work - so will probably end up being more like me TBH... sadly

[@badbluetahoe]

Top 1% intelligence and top 1% looks lol

[@subhuman3408]

†*≤

[@ДмитрийВербицкий-у7д]

Young Susan Brown Helen Wilson Amy

[@orenmontgomery8250]

First