How and for whom can genetics education reduce beliefs in genetic essentialism?

ABSTRACT: Despite advancements in genomics, misconceptions about the extent to which genetics contributes to observable differences across racial groups persist. These misconceptions are often rooted in genetic essentialism, a social-cognitive bias that leads individuals to believe that most complex traits are primarily determined by genetics. This scientifically inaccurate belief overlooks the environmental and social influences on complex human outcomes, reinforcing deterministic views about human diversity. Our study examines how and for whom genetics education can reduce genetic essentialist beliefs using targeted interventions. We use data from a randomized controlled trial collected at a large US West Coast public university in 2023, including 2,061 undergraduate students. Participants were ra

SUBMITTER: Wedow R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12744254 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature