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Genetics and general cognitive ability

Nature volume 402, pages C25–C29 (1999)Cite this article

General cognitive ability (g), often referred to as ‘general intelligence’, predicts social outcomes such as educational and occupational levels far better than any other behavioural trait. g is one of the most heritable behavioural traits, and genes that contribute to the heritability of g will certainly be identified. What are the scientific and social implications of finding genes associated with g?

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Figure 1: Quantitative trait locus (QTL) perspective on complex traits.
Figure 2: Functional genomics includes all levels of analysis from molecular biology to psychology.

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Acknowledgements

Preparation of this paper and the QTL research on g is supported by a grant from the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The paper profited from review of an earlier version by R. Arden, S. Baron-Cohen, I. Craig, P. Dale, I. J. Deary, J. C. DeFries, L. S. Gottfredson, F. Happé, J. Rich Harris, C. Hughes, D. Lubinski, P. McGuffin, A. Newson, T. G. O'Connor, M. J. Owen, S. A. Petrill, K. J. Saudino, L. A. Thompson and I. D. Waldman.

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  1. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, DeCrespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    Robert Plomin

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  1. Robert Plomin
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Correspondence to Robert Plomin.

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Plomin, R. Genetics and general cognitive ability. Nature 402 (Suppl 6761), C25–C29 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/35011520

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