Psychogenetics in simple words: how the invisible gives rise to the visible


Formation and development of science

Stages of development of psychogenetics as a science:

  • Stage 1 – the emergence of the genetics of human behavior occurs (1865-1900);
  • Stage 2 – behavioral genetics becomes an independent scientific discipline (1900-1924);
  • Stage 3 – empirical material is accumulated (1924-1960);
  • Stage 4 – modern development (from 1960 to the present).

Psychogenetics as a science was developed by the English scientist F. Galton. He was Charles Darwin's cousin.

In 1865, Galton published the article “Hereditary Talent and Character,” which marked the beginning of a series of works in the field of studying heredity in humans. In 1869, Galton's work “Hereditary Genius: A Study of Its Laws and Consequences” was published. As part of the study, the scientist tried to solve the issue of heritability of talent by analyzing the pedigrees of outstanding figures in science, law, sports, military affairs, and art. To do this, he used the genealogical method.

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Another founder of psychogenetics is the German researcher W. Stern, who first introduced the concept of “differential psychology.”

Definition 2

Differential psychology is a branch of psychology that studies individual differences between people.

Stern formulated methodological and experimental approaches, basic concepts, and statistical techniques. All of them are still used in psychogenetics.

The main achievements of psychogenetics at the beginning of the 20th century can be considered:

  • Formation of reliable methods for determining the zygosity of twins.
  • Development of statistical methods for determining similarities between relatives.
  • The emergence and development of quantitative genetics.
  • Development of testology (psychological diagnostics).

Psychogenetics in simple words: how the invisible gives rise to the visible

Psychogenetics (like psychogenealogy) studies how mental characteristics and family scripts are inherited from generation to generation. Systemic family psychology does the same. And with an experienced eye, these patterns and stories are visible just as well as in tests and test tubes. But it takes practice and attention to see it!

It must be said that in both psychogenetics and psychogenealogy, Western scientists, as usual, rediscovered the bicycle

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