The idea of heritability may have consequences for individuals’ sense of self by connecting identity to the actions of others who happen to share genetic ties. Across seven experimental studies (total N = 2,628), recalling morally bad or good actions by family members influenced individuals’ moral self among those who endorse a lay belief that moral character is genetically heritable, but not among those who did not endorse this belief (Study 1–5). In contrast, recalling actions by unrelated individuals had no effect, regardless of lay beliefs (Study 2, 5), the endorsement of other relevant lay beliefs did not moderate the effect of parent's actions on self-judgments (Study 3). Individuals who endorsed heritability beliefs also chose less helpful responses to hypothetical helping scenarios if they had recalled unhelpful (vs. helpful) acts by a genetically related family member (Study 5). Taken together, these studies suggest that lay beliefs in the role of genetics are important for self-perceptions.

中文翻译：

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打破（不）道德障碍？关于基因遗传性的普通信念可预测家庭成员的行为是否会影响自我判断

通过将身份与碰巧共享遗传关系的其他人的行为联系起来，遗传性的想法可能会对个人的自我意识产生影响。在七项实验研究中（总共N = 2,628），回忆家庭成员在道德上的坏或好行为会影响个人的道德自我，这些人支持非专业信念，即道德品质是遗传可遗传的，但不支持这种信念的人则不会（研究 1-5）。相比之下，回忆无关个体的行为没有影响，无论世俗信仰如何（研究 2、5），其他相关世俗信仰的认可并没有缓和父母的行为对自我判断的影响（研究 3）。如果他们回忆起遗传相关家庭成员的无益（与有益）行为，那么赞同遗传信念的个人也会选择对假设的帮助情景不太有帮助的反应（研究 5）。综上所述，这些研究表明，对遗传作用的外行信念对自我认知很重要。