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Genomic data can illuminate the architecture and evolution of cognitive abilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2017

James J. Lee  and
Christopher F. Chabris
James J. Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN [email protected]://umn.academia.edu/JamesLee
Christopher F. Chabris
Affiliation:
Institute for Advanced Application, Geisinger Health System, Lewisburg, PA [email protected] Department of Psychology, Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308http://www.chabris.com
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Abstract

Does general intelligence exist across species, and has it been a target of natural selection? These questions can be addressed with genomic data, which can rule out artifacts by demonstrating that distinct cognitive abilities are genetically correlated and thus share a biological substrate. This work has begun with data from humans and can be extended to other species; it should focus not only on general intelligence but also specific capacities like language and spatial ability.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e209
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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