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Public Understanding of Behavioral Genetics: Integrating Heuristic Thinking, Motivated Reasoning and Planned Social Change Theories for Better Communication Strategies

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Abstract

The field of behavioral genetics is experiencing a revolution following the development of genome-wide association studies and the availability of large datasets from international consortia. This rapid change could increase the existing gaps between basic research, translation, and public understanding of science. In the present work, we aim to synthesize key explanations of how public understanding of socio-scientific issues develop. We propose that integrating dual-process, motivated reasoning, and change management theories will increase the extent to which we understand, and can change, how people respond to findings from behavior genetics.

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Funding

This study was funded by the John Templeton Foundation (Genetics and Human Agency Project). FKB was funded by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT150100147). LCC was funded by a QIMR Berghofer Research Fellowship. SEM was funded by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (APP1103623).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Genetics, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    J. J. Morosoli, L. Colodro-Conde & S. E. Medland

  2. School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    J. J. Morosoli, L. Colodro-Conde, F. K. Barlow & S. E. Medland

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  1. J. J. Morosoli
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  2. L. Colodro-Conde
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  3. F. K. Barlow
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Correspondence to J. J. Morosoli.

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JJM, LCC, FKB, and SEM declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Morosoli, J.J., Colodro-Conde, L., Barlow, F.K. et al. Public Understanding of Behavioral Genetics: Integrating Heuristic Thinking, Motivated Reasoning and Planned Social Change Theories for Better Communication Strategies. Behav Genet 49, 469–477 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-019-09964-9

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