Kovas, Yulia and Plomin, Robert. 2007. Learning abilities and disabilities: generalist genes, specialist environments. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(5), pp. 284-288. ISSN 0963-7214 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Twin studies comparing identical and fraternal twins consistently show substantial genetic influence on individual differences in learning abilities such as reading and mathematics, as well as in other cognitive abilities such as spatial ability and memory. Multivariate genetic research has shown that the same set of genes is largely responsible for genetic influence on these diverse cognitive areas. We call these “generalist genes.” What differentiates these abilities is largely the environment, especially nonshared environments that make children growing up in the same family different from one another. These multivariate genetic findings of generalist genes and specialist environments have far-reaching implications for diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities and for understanding the brain mechanisms that mediate these effects.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00521.x
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Psychology
Dates:	Date Event October 2007 Published
Item ID:	5344
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2011 09:48
Last Modified:	04 Jul 2017 09:25
Peer Reviewed:	Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/5344

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