r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 20d ago

Neuroscience Twin study suggests rationality and intelligence share the same genetic roots - the study suggests that being irrational, or making illogical choices, might simply be another way of measuring lower intelligence.

https://www.psypost.org/twin-study-suggests-rationality-and-intelligence-share-the-same-genetic-roots/
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u/AidosKynee 20d ago

I'm always skeptical of solo authors, particularly when the study is inflammatory. Apparently this author is on the editorial board of the journal, which is also a concern.

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u/Sinai 20d ago

This is about as far from inflammatory a study as you can get. This is a orthodox scientist with thousands of citations in the field arriving at the orthodox conclusion.

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u/AidosKynee 19d ago

"Genetics causes bad behavior" is definitely treading a dangerous line, which Intelligence has been known to step over.

That's why I'm wary when it's a solo author doing the study, and one who's got a strong "in" with the journal. It's far too easy for one person's preconceptions to taint their research, and you pointed out that they were unable to even appear unbiased.

I'm not a psychologist, so I won't comment on the merits of the study itself. I'll leave it up to their field to replicate these findings or not.

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u/LateMiddleAge 19d ago

It's at least potentially problematic because it combined poorly defined terms -- intelligence, rationality -- with hypocognitive value judgement -- lower, higher.