Scientists hint at possible correlation between excellence and genetics

Oct 24, 2011 12:52 GMT  ·  By
Genetics may separate geniuses from those who are extremely good at what they do
   Genetics may separate geniuses from those who are extremely good at what they do

Researchers at the Michigan State University (MSU) and the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) propose in a new study that the genome may contain the seeds of greatness inside a person's own genetic code.

In other words, being a genius in maths or a virtuous piano player may all boil down to the right combination of genes, the team says. The new findings go up against established dogma that says hard work and practice is the key to success.

But MSU psychologist Dr. David Z. Hambrick and SIUE colleague Dr. Elizabeth J. Meinz believe otherwise. Their new study contradicts past theories, and provides a new framework for experts to use in analyzing individuals who are exceptional in their particular fields.

Thus far, researchers were convinced that intelligence and luck were absolutely required in order for a musician to get from their room to the central stage in Madison Square Garden. This view advocates that everyone starts out the same way.

However, Hambrick and Meinz propose that some individuals get a head start, since their genetic materials predisposes them to greatness in a particular field. Details of their study appear in the latest issue of the esteemed medical journal Current Directions in Psychological Science.

“We don’t deny the importance of the knowledge and skill that accrue through practice. But, we think that for certain types of tasks, basic abilities and capacities – ones that are general, stable across time, and substantially heritable – play an important role in skilled performance,” Hambrick says.

The two researchers say that these abilities and capacities are the “bedrock of talent” on which repetition and practice embed skills more deeply. The team arrived at this conclusion after studying the capacities of the human working memory, PsychCentral reports.

“Even at the highest end, the higher the intellectual ability – and by extension, the higher the working memory capacity – the better. Some would consider this bad news. We’d all like to think that basic capacities and abilities are irrelevant – it’s the egalitarian view of expertise,” the expert says.

“We’re not saying that limitations can’t be overcome,” the team adds. However, the difference between geniuses and people who are simply very good at what they do may be created by the extra something, the improved working memory, or an extra set of genes.