http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/ Dive into the awe-inspiring, beautiful and quirky world of science news with award-winning writer Ed Yong. No previous experience required. Sat, 26 May 2012 10:52:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5188 Gammidgy Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:43:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5188 I'm not sure the assumption that cultural differences affect both types of twins equally is valid. I find it plausible that growing up with an identical twin, someone who is essentially identical to you but not you, could have a unique effect on one's social psychology. Ed's article doesn't mention whether any twins who had been separated at birth were included in the study. That would be the only way to control for such a phenomenon. I’m not sure the assumption that cultural differences affect both types of twins equally is valid. I find it plausible that growing up with an identical twin, someone who is essentially identical to you but not you, could have a unique effect on one’s social psychology.
Ed’s article doesn’t mention whether any twins who had been separated at birth were included in the study. That would be the only way to control for such a phenomenon.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5187 John Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:10:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5187 Nathan - the study found that pairs of identical twins are more likely to use the same strategy than pairs of non-identical twins. The study probably assumes that cultural differences affect both types of twins equally. Nathan – the study found that pairs of identical twins are more likely to use the same strategy than pairs of non-identical twins. The study probably assumes that cultural differences affect both types of twins equally.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5186 Nathan Myers Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:56:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5186 Tanya: Confidence tricksters rely on people who hope to get something for nothing. Is there any better measure of executive function than being taken in that way? Tanya: Confidence tricksters rely on people who hope to get something for nothing. Is there any better measure of executive function than being taken in that way?

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5185 Tanya Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:34:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5185 As someone carrying a diagnosis of Severe Inattentive ADD and virtually no urge to punish perceived injustice I'm intrigued by the notion that both involve the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. I'd love to investigate the possible correlation between lower than average sense of "fair play" and poor executive function. As someone carrying a diagnosis of Severe Inattentive ADD and virtually no urge to punish perceived injustice I’m intrigued by the notion that both involve the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
I’d love to investigate the possible correlation between lower than average sense of “fair play” and poor executive function.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5184 6EQUJ5 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:12:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5184 When I first read about games of this kind, I was puzzled at the range of responses. I now realize that my impulse to punish cheats overwhelms my self-interest. I would accept half or nothing. I actually think I see it as a duty to punish, a civic duty, like calling attention to cruelty or rudeness. When I first read about games of this kind, I was puzzled at the range of responses. I now realize that my impulse to punish cheats overwhelms my self-interest. I would accept half or nothing. I actually think I see it as a duty to punish, a civic duty, like calling attention to cruelty or rudeness.

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/comment-page-1/#comment-5183 Nathan Myers Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:59:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/09/22/genes-affect-our-likelihood-to-punish-unfair-play/#comment-5183 How did the researchers tease out the effect of the common cultural background of these twins? Are twins routinely separated at birth, in Sweden, and one sent to a foreign country to be raised? How did the researchers tease out the effect of the common cultural background of these twins? Are twins routinely separated at birth, in Sweden, and one sent to a foreign country to be raised?

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