Assumptions are Like Assholes, Every Perspective Has One

• In Event: Cutting-Edge Biosocial Criminological Research

Abstract

Like all theoretical and methodological foci, the biosocial paradigm rests on a bed of assumptions. These assumptions must be met in order for the results gleaned from any biosocial research project to be meaningfully interpreted by scholars. Recognizing the biosocial paradigm is vast and ever-growing, we focus on the assumptions made by one aspect of biosocial research: behavior genetics. Behavior genetic research relies on three primary assumptions in order for the results to remain unbiased and generalizable: 1) the assumption of no assortative mating, 2) the equal environments assumption, and 3) that twins are no different than singletons in their behavior and the factors that impact their development. We present evidence that has bearing on all three assumptions, with the general conclusion being that behavior genetic findings are unlikely to be biased toward large heritability estimates. Indeed, our findings suggest heritability estimates may be conservative under-estimates and that these results are expected to generalize to the broader (i.e., non-twin) population.

Authors

• Brian B. Boutwell, Saint Louis University

• J.C. Barnes, University of Cincinnati