Robert Plomin (DNA Expert): If You Think Good Parenting Shapes Personality, You’ve Been Lied To (Too Late) - #60  episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 2, 2026 · 1H 36M

Robert Plomin (DNA Expert): If You Think Good Parenting Shapes Personality, You’ve Been Lied To (Too Late) - #60

from Watson-Howland

Behavioral genetics is destroying what we’ve been told about parenting, school “quality,” and personality. Robert Plomin explains why “parents don’t matter (in the way you think)” and why school quality can explain as little as 1% of SAT/GCSE variation after correcting for socioeconomic status.Robert Plomin, leading behavioural geneticist at King’s College London with 50 years in psychology/genetics research (from the pre-DNA era to today’s polygenic scores) Subscribe for more long-form interviews with world-class experts (and share this with one parent or student who needs it)Expect to learn:–Why the “shared family environment” (nurture) often explains surprisingly little—so siblings can be wildly different.–The school shocker: why “great schools” may explain ~4% of GCSE variance, and ~1% after adjusting for socioeconomic sorting.00:00 Behavioral genetics: "We got it wrong for 50 years" (nature vs nurture flips)00:36 "Everything is heritable": what psychology missed (and why DNA changed the game)01:46 The DNA revolution in behavioral genetics (from twin studies to genome sequencing)02:32 "Nurture" isn't what you think: why shared family environment explains little07:13 Genetics and personal preferences: where you live, who you are, and free will13:35 What heritability means (and the #1 misunderstanding about the 80% figure)13:35 Twin studies vs adoption studies: why identical twins reared apart matter20:05 If it's not family, what is it? Non-shared environment and "stochastic" life outcomes30:27 Polygenic scores: predicting education, schizophrenia risk, and massive effect sizes30:27 The "School Scam": why school quality can explain ~1% of GCSE variance (after SES)38:59 Ethical implications of genetic testing: Gattaca, prevention, and the totalitarian fear51:05 The power of genetics in shaping personality: why siblings differ so dramatically51:52 The dark side of genetic experiments: Three Identical Strangers and the wicked psychiatrist53:21 Identical twins reared apart: astonishing similarities in behavior, jobs, and even hobbies59:29 "Parents matter, but don't make a difference": what parenting can't change (and what it can)01:04:12 Understanding and accepting individual differences (shyness, confidence, going with the flow)01:04:12 Attachment theory vs evidence: relationships as descriptions, not destiny01:18:53 The role of DNA testing in modern life: prevention, couples screening, and Nucleus Genomics01:18:53 DNA testing for couples + recessive disorders (the prevention case that eliminates diseases)01:32:34 Meditation, self-knowledge, and "becoming who you are" over time (final advice)FREE Podcast Tips (2nd Channel): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUp5S7ZIZtjA8PMgXJMwppAPodcast blueprint (Skool): https://www.skool.com/remote-pro-podcast-blueprint-8385Robert Plomin book mentioned: Blueprint — https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39074555-blueprintCompany mentioned for consumer DNA testing: Nucleus Genomics — https://nucleusgenomics.comJacob’s Work Website: https://www.jacobjwatsonhowland.com

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Robert Plomin (DNA Expert): If You Think Good Parenting Shapes Personality, You’ve Been Lied To (Too Late) - #60

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