Essay On Heritability

Heritability Behavioral genetics is a complex study that helps to explain the differences between others. The purpose behind behavioral genetics is it to define the relationship between behavior and genetics. We know that humans share genes, but the differences in each give us our individuality. One very important aspect of behavioral genetics is heritability. Heritability is commonly misunderstood. It shows the relationship between nature and nurture by the numerical estimate of the diversity within a population. This diversity is due to genetic difference. It is shown as a ratio, typically between 0.3 and 0.6, of the amount of differences observed versus the total amount of differences due to environment and genetics (Cacioppo, Freberg 2013). For example, when there is no part in producing
Full heritability shows genes being the reason behind the phenotype. The example presented with full heritability is Huntington’s disease. This illness is fully due to genetics because one gene from any parent automatically makes you have it (Cacioppo, Freberg 2013). Another example would be autism with a heritability rate of .9. Genes have a higher influence on autism. Although heritability may seem simple, it is often misunderstood in three main ways. The first way heritability is misinterpreted is by definition. Heritability is referring to the population not specific individuals. For example, a trait may have a certain rate. This rate is not saying it is individual as one part and the environment as the other. The rate is to show the differences of the trait within the population by genetics and environment. The second aspect of heritability that confuses some is the environment. Heritability cannot be determined without environment (Cacioppo, Freberg 2013). If the environment stays the same for everyone, the trait will be higher. If the environment differs, the trait will be