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Are We Hardwired?: The Role of Genes in Human Behavior
Books such as Richard Dawkins's The Selfish Gene have aroused fierce controversy by arguing for the powerful influence of genes on human behavior. But are we entirely at the mercy of our chromosomes? In Are We Hardwired? , scientists William R. Clark and Michael Grunstein say the answer is both
yes--and no.
The power and fascination of Are We Hardwired? lie in their explanation of that deceptively simple answer. Using eye-opening examples of genetically identical twins who, though raised in different families, have had remarkably parallel lives, the authors show that indeed roughly half of human
behavior can be accounted for by DNA. But the picture is quite complicated. Clark and Grunstein take us on a tour of modern genetics and behavioral science, revealing that few elements of behavior depend upon a single gene; complexes of genes, often across chromosomes, drive most of our
heredity-based actions. To illustrate this point, they examine the genetic basis, and quirks, of individual behavioral traits--including aggression, sexuality, mental function, eating disorders, alcoholism, and drug abuse. They show that genes and environment are not opposing forces; heredity shapes
how we interpret our surroundings, which in turn changes the very structure of our brain. Clearly we are not simply puppets of either influence. Perhaps most interesting, the book suggests that the source of our ability to choose, to act unexpectedly, may lie in the chaos the most minute
differences during activation of a single neuron may lead to utterly unpredictable actions.
This masterful account of the nature-nurture controversy--at once provocative and informative--answers some of our oldest questions in unexpected new ways
yes--and no.
The power and fascination of Are We Hardwired? lie in their explanation of that deceptively simple answer. Using eye-opening examples of genetically identical twins who, though raised in different families, have had remarkably parallel lives, the authors show that indeed roughly half of human
behavior can be accounted for by DNA. But the picture is quite complicated. Clark and Grunstein take us on a tour of modern genetics and behavioral science, revealing that few elements of behavior depend upon a single gene; complexes of genes, often across chromosomes, drive most of our
heredity-based actions. To illustrate this point, they examine the genetic basis, and quirks, of individual behavioral traits--including aggression, sexuality, mental function, eating disorders, alcoholism, and drug abuse. They show that genes and environment are not opposing forces; heredity shapes
how we interpret our surroundings, which in turn changes the very structure of our brain. Clearly we are not simply puppets of either influence. Perhaps most interesting, the book suggests that the source of our ability to choose, to act unexpectedly, may lie in the chaos the most minute
differences during activation of a single neuron may lead to utterly unpredictable actions.
This masterful account of the nature-nurture controversy--at once provocative and informative--answers some of our oldest questions in unexpected new ways
- GenresNonfictionScience
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
William R. Clark
36 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
William R. Clark
William R. Clark
William R. Clark is Professor Emeritus of Immunology in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of a number of books about biology, immunology, and evolution, including Sex and the Origins of Death, A Means to an End: The Biological Basis of Aging and Death, and The New Healers: The Promise and Problems of Molecular Medicine in the Twenty-First Century.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
William R. Clark
William R. Clark
William R. Clark is Professor Emeritus of Immunology in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of a number of books about biology, immunology, and evolution, including Sex and the Origins of Death, A Means to an End: The Biological Basis of Aging and Death, and The New Healers: The Promise and Problems of Molecular Medicine in the Twenty-First Century.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 4, 2019
Book is quite repetitive in it's message and is based heavily on animal experiments....also contains some interesting experiments/observations on humans.
October 12, 2016
This book was truly interesting. The book had lots of information about genetics and less about answering the question are we hard wired, but I did like the fact that I got to answer that for myself. The book included a short story about two twins who were separated at birth. They teach about the genetic, and molecular basis of humans, traits. Also, what are genes do such as aggression eating problems even personal opinions. This book taught me a lot about who we are and what makes me or you special.
It is a little challenging. It would be helpful to know about genetics prior to reading this book. Even though It had a couple vocabulary words. knowing more about genetics would really help you to better understand the book. I learned a lot about whether we are hardwired or not the answer you must find out on your own. I liked this book!
It is a little challenging. It would be helpful to know about genetics prior to reading this book. Even though It had a couple vocabulary words. knowing more about genetics would really help you to better understand the book. I learned a lot about whether we are hardwired or not the answer you must find out on your own. I liked this book!
May 26, 2007
Not really sure what to say. I would need to pretend not to know genetics to really review the book. But perhaps most of my friends who would pick this up already do. The introduction is quite catchy sifting through some of the most interesting picks of twin studies though the following chapters are slow surveys of basic microbiology and genetic models. i will confess to not finishing it yet and if anyone else picks this up i am interested in your thoughts.
July 20, 2013
Although this book is "old" by gene science standards, it was still well worth the read as it gives some what is now some basic information about the genetic underpinnings of various human behaviors. This book predates advances in human genetic research as well as the new, yet burgeoning field of epigenetics. Well-written and completely understandable explanations of sometimes complex chemical reactions. An enjoyable read .
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews