Genetic analysis of social-class mobility in five longitudinal studies.

ABSTRACT: A summary genetic measure, called a "polygenic score," derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of education can modestly predict a person's educational and economic success. This prediction could signal a biological mechanism: Education-linked genetics could encode characteristics that help people get ahead in life. Alternatively, prediction could reflect social history: People from well-off families might stay well-off for social reasons, and these families might also look alike genetically. A key test to distinguish biological mechanism from social history is if people with higher education polygenic scores tend to climb the social ladder beyond their parents' position. Upward mobility would indicate education-linked genetics encodes characteristics that foster success. We te

SUBMITTER: Belsky DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6077729 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature