Studying at York
Genetics & Education - EDU00074M
Module summary
Students will develop a personal and evidence-based perspective on the genetics of education debate through close examination of behavioural genetic evidence regarding reading, maths, cognitive ability, psychopathology and home and classroom environments.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module aims to introduce students to the debate about whether and how genetics should be taken into account in the planning and practice of education. It will provide students with sufficient background in the behavioural genetics of learning abilities and disabilities for them to develop an informed perspective. Students will be enabled to independently analyse a range of sources from behavioural genetics, psychology, politics and education, and to critically engage with the overlaps between these disciplines. The module aims to support students in engaging with different forms of evidence and argument, reviewing their reliability, validity and significance to psychology in education.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
Students will:
- Develop knowledge and the ability to explain behavioural genetic principles and practices e.g. twin studies and Genome-Wide Association Studies.
- Explore and critically evaluate assumptions and evidence related to the heritability of learning abilities and disabilities.
- Critically analyse the historical and political background to debates about genetics and education.
- Critically examine the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of behavioural genetics with regard to education.
- Develop a personal and evidence-based perspective on the genetics of education debate through close examination of behavioural genetic evidence regarding reading, maths, science, general intelligence, behaviour problems, and home and classroom environments.
- Apply theoretical knowledge and understanding gained in lectures and private reading to a current issue they have identified independently.
Academic and graduate skills
Students will learn how to:
- Assimilate information to develop an informed personal perspective on a controversial topic.
- Effectively communicate a reasoned argument, and the evidence underpinning it, in both written and oral form.
- Identify and synthesise a range of sources e.g. academic papers, media reports, policy documents and social media discussions, and critically evaluate their reliability, validity and relevance.
- Analyse the ways in which theories and data from differing disciplines can inform each other and can be applied in different contexts to enhance understanding.
- Work proactively and autonomously to select and manage information and use this to engage effectively in debate.
- Present reading and ideas to expert and non-expert audiences in a poster format.
Module content
Lecture Content
The following outline is representative of the lectures that will be given but may be subject to small changes.
Behavioural Genetics: The Rise and Fall of a Discipline
- Individual differences and inheritance
- Galton and his legacy
- Genetic determinism and Eugenics
- Genetics as a Taboo subject
Genetic and Environmental Determinism
- Blank slatism and the John/Joan case
- PKU
- Huntington’s Disease
Twin and Adoption Methods
- Twin Studies
- ACE estimates and the meaning of heritability
- Equal Environments and other assumptions in twin research
- The adoption method
Heritability and the Human Genome
- Mendelian Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics (R.A. Fisher; Donald Falconer and the ACE Model)
- DNA and the Human Genome Project
- Williams Syndrome
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence
- What is intelligence and can it be measured?
- The Flynn Effect
- Twin studies of general cognitive ability
- Moderators of the heritability of general cognitive ability
- Using GWAS to identify ‘intelligence genes’
- Genetics and intellectual disability
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Academic Achievement
- Heritability of reading ability and the moderating effects of teachers and culture
- Genetic and environmental influences on academic performance in primary school and at GCSE and A Level
Genes, Environment and Developmental Psychopathology
- Prevalence of Childhood Disorder
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD and Disruptive Disorders (hyperactivity, conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits)
Environmental Influences and GE Interplay
- Shared Environment
- Non-Shared Environment
- Genotype-environment correlations
- GxE
The application of genetic research in schools
- Genetics and Learning: Key concept
- Suggestions for Policy and Practice
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Individual written feedback reports, with follow-up tutor meeting if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information
Indicative reading
Asbury, K. & Plomin, R. (2013). G is for Genes: The Impact of Genetics on Education and Achievement. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderheiser, J. (2013). Behavioral genetics. Palgrave Macmillan.
Walker, S.O. & Plomin, R. (2005). The Nature-Nurture Question: Teachers’ perceptions of how genes and the environment influence educationally relevant behaviour. Educational Psychology, 25, 509 – 516.
Harden, K. P., & Koellinger, P. D. (2020). Using genetics for social science. Nature Human Behaviour, 4(6), 567-576.
von Stumm, S., Smith-Woolley, E., Ayorech, Z., McMillan, A., Rimfeld, K., Dale, P. S., & Plomin, R. (2020). Predicting educational achievement from genomic measures and socioeconomic status. Developmental science, 23(3), e12925.