Genetic essentialism: On the deceptive determinism of DNA.

Abstract

This paper introduces the notion of genetic essentialist biases: cognitive biases associated with essentialist thinking that are elicited when people encounter arguments that genes are relevant for a behavior, condition, or social group. Learning about genetic attributions for various human conditions leads to a particular set of thoughts regarding those conditions: they are more likely to be perceived as a) immutable and determined, b) having a specific etiology, c) homogeneous and discrete, and, d) natural, which can lead to the naturalistic fallacy. There are rare cases of “strong genetic explanation” when such responses to genetic attributions may be appropriate, however people tend to over-weigh genetic attributions compared with competing attributions even in cases of “weak genetic explanation,” which are far more common. Research on people’s understanding of race, gender, sexual orientation, criminality, mental illness and obesity is reviewed through a genetic essentialism lens, highlighting attitudinal, cognitive and behavioral changes that stem from consideration of genetic attributions as bases of these categories. Scientists and media portrayals of genetic discoveries are discussed with respect to genetic essentialism, as is the role that genetic essentialism has played (and continues to play) in various public policies, legislation, scientific endeavors, and ideological movements in recent history. Last, moderating factors and interventions to reduce the magnitude of genetic essentialism are discussed that identify promising directions to explore in order to reduce these biases.

The effects of learning about one’s own genetic susceptibility to alcoholism: a randomized experiment

“…38 The modification of perceived behavioral control is therefore a concern that should be addressed when genetic susceptibility information is disseminated to individual consumers, emphasizing the nondeterministic, interactive relationship between genes and environment, for example. 9,39 As compared with individuals who learned that they do not have an allele associated with alcoholism, people who learned that they purportedly have such an allele were more likely to actually enroll in a drinking intervention. A less stringent test (i.e., no measure of actual behaviors) indicated that women (but not men) with the purported allele were also more willing to participate in such a workshop as compared with women purportedly without the allele.…”

“…40 Others have pointed out that the increased fatalism that often accompanies genetic attributions may reduce vigilant behaviors as the genetic influence is interpreted as destiny. 9 Research aimed at reconciling these inconsistencies is needed, as is further theoretical development to examine the moderators involved in behavioral changes following indication of genetic susceptibility.…”

“…8 Scientists have developed a more intricate understanding of the nature of the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes, whereas lay people have not, reflecting their largely inaccurate mental representations of genetics. 9,10 The perception of genetic etiology engenders cognitive fallacies, termed genetic essentialist biases. Specifically, when a particular disease or behavioral tendency is considered "genetic, " essentialist biases lead people to view these phenomena as more immutable, predetermined, and natural.…”

“…Specifically, when a particular disease or behavioral tendency is considered "genetic, " essentialist biases lead people to view these phenomena as more immutable, predetermined, and natural. 9 Essentialist biases also decrease the acknowledgment of environmental causes and personal choice. 9 With regard to health-related information, research indicates that individuals who make genetic attributions for health-related conditions perceive cardiovascular conditions as more life threatening, 11 manifest greater desire for social distance from a person with mental illness, 12 and expect poorer prognosis with respect to medical conditions.…”

“…9 Essentialist biases also decrease the acknowledgment of environmental causes and personal choice. 9 With regard to health-related information, research indicates that individuals who make genetic attributions for health-related conditions perceive cardiovascular conditions as more life threatening, 11 manifest greater desire for social distance from a person with mental illness, 12 and expect poorer prognosis with respect to medical conditions. 13 Thus, perception of genetic etiology is linked to a variety of determinism-enhancing beliefs.…”