Estimates of the heritability of risk-taking, parental warmth, and openness are between 38 and 57 percent. This implies that
A) most of the behaviors we present are caused by our genes.
B) genes account for some of the variation in those traits, but experience is also important.
C) experience accounts for the majority of the variation in those traits.
D) it is not possible to measure how much of the variation in those traits is due to the environment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Heritability estimates between 38 and 57 percent indicate that genes account for some but not all of the variation in risk-taking, parental warmth, and openness. Experience and environmental factors also play a role. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Option A is incorrect because heritability estimates do not imply that most behaviors are caused by genes. Option C is incorrect because experience does not account for the majority of the variation in these traits. Option D is incorrect because heritability estimates are a measure of the proportion of variation in a trait that is due to genetic factors, and it is possible to estimate the environmental contribution as well.

Estimates of the Heritability of Risk-Taking, Parental Warmth, and Openness