Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions
Abstract Across a wide range of studies, researchers often conclude that the home environment and children’s outcomes are causally linked. In contrast, behavioral genetic studies show that parents influence their children by providing them with both environment and genes, meaning the environment tha...
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Nature Portfolio
2021
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oai:doaj.org-article:d0b294b70c3d413096891cc26f09b49f2021-12-02T15:13:09ZNurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions10.1038/s41539-020-00079-z2056-7936https://doaj.org/article/d0b294b70c3d413096891cc26f09b49f2021-01-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-020-00079-zhttps://doaj.org/toc/2056-7936Abstract Across a wide range of studies, researchers often conclude that the home environment and children’s outcomes are causally linked. In contrast, behavioral genetic studies show that parents influence their children by providing them with both environment and genes, meaning the environment that parents provide should not be considered in the absence of genetic influences, because that can lead to erroneous conclusions on causation. This article seeks to provide behavioral scientists with a synopsis of numerous methods to estimate the direct effect of the environment, controlling for the potential of genetic confounding. Ideally, using genetically sensitive designs can fully disentangle this genetic confound, but these require specialized samples. In the near future, researchers will likely have access to measured DNA variants (summarized in a polygenic scores), which could serve as a partial genetic control, but that is currently not an option that is ideal or widely available. We also propose a work around for when genetically sensitive data are not readily available: the Familial Control Method. In this method, one measures the same trait in the parents as the child, and the parents’ trait is then used as a covariate (e.g., a genetic proxy). When these options are all not possible, we plead with our colleagues to clearly mention genetic confound as a limitation, and to be cautious with any environmental causal statements which could lead to unnecessary parent blaming.Sara A. HartCallie LittleElsje van BergenNature PortfolioarticleSpecial aspects of educationLC8-6691Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. NeuropsychiatryRC321-571ENnpj Science of Learning, Vol 6, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2021) |
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Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry RC321-571 |
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Special aspects of education LC8-6691 Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry RC321-571 Sara A. Hart Callie Little Elsje van Bergen Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
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Abstract Across a wide range of studies, researchers often conclude that the home environment and children’s outcomes are causally linked. In contrast, behavioral genetic studies show that parents influence their children by providing them with both environment and genes, meaning the environment that parents provide should not be considered in the absence of genetic influences, because that can lead to erroneous conclusions on causation. This article seeks to provide behavioral scientists with a synopsis of numerous methods to estimate the direct effect of the environment, controlling for the potential of genetic confounding. Ideally, using genetically sensitive designs can fully disentangle this genetic confound, but these require specialized samples. In the near future, researchers will likely have access to measured DNA variants (summarized in a polygenic scores), which could serve as a partial genetic control, but that is currently not an option that is ideal or widely available. We also propose a work around for when genetically sensitive data are not readily available: the Familial Control Method. In this method, one measures the same trait in the parents as the child, and the parents’ trait is then used as a covariate (e.g., a genetic proxy). When these options are all not possible, we plead with our colleagues to clearly mention genetic confound as a limitation, and to be cautious with any environmental causal statements which could lead to unnecessary parent blaming. |
format |
article |
author |
Sara A. Hart Callie Little Elsje van Bergen |
author_facet |
Sara A. Hart Callie Little Elsje van Bergen |
author_sort |
Sara A. Hart |
title |
Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
title_short |
Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
title_full |
Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
title_fullStr |
Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
title_full_unstemmed |
Nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
title_sort |
nurture might be nature: cautionary tales and proposed solutions |
publisher |
Nature Portfolio |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doaj.org/article/d0b294b70c3d413096891cc26f09b49f |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT saraahart nurturemightbenaturecautionarytalesandproposedsolutions AT callielittle nurturemightbenaturecautionarytalesandproposedsolutions AT elsjevanbergen nurturemightbenaturecautionarytalesandproposedsolutions |
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1718387600020996096 |