A new study of more than 6000 pairs of twins finds that academic achievement is influenced by genes affecting motivation, personality, confidence, and dozens of other traits, in addition to those that shape intelligence. The results may lead to new ways to improve childhood education.
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The team found nine general groups of traits that were all highly hereditary…and also correlated with performance on the GCSE.
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In all, about 62% of the individual differences in academic achievement—at least when it came to GCSE scores—could be attributed to genetic factors, a number similar to previous studies’ findings, the [researchers reported]….
“It’s really important to understand why children differ in academic achievement,” says…Kaili Rimfeld… “These twin studies show that there’s a genetic basis for the differences in how easy or enjoyable children find learning.” Understanding that there’s a genetic basis for why people differ in not only intelligence, but also their drive to learn, she says, underscores the need for personalized classrooms where students can learn in different ways….
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Genes don’t just influence your IQ—they determine how well you do in school
