In:
Teaching of Psychology, SAGE Publications, Vol. 45, No. 1 ( 2018-01), p. 91-101
Abstract:
A highly relevant construct that may need more emphasis in our psychology courses is genetic attributions. Attributions are causal explanations people make for specific behaviors, characteristics, occurrences, or differences. Research has found that genetic attributions are related to numerous biopsychosocial phenomena (e.g., perceptions about one’s own health, attitudes toward others) that impact individuals and societies. Unfortunately, often these causal attributions are linked to problematic outcomes. For example, genetic attributions for the etiology of illness are often associated with decreased personal control and well-being. Additionally, genetic attributions for group differences are related to psychological essentialism (i.e., the belief that members of a group all share a deep, underlying “essence”), which, in turn, tends to be associated with stereotyping and prejudice. With the following brief overview of theoretical and empirical work related to genetic attributions, I discuss how instructors can incorporate discussions of this important concept into their psychology courses.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0098-6283
,
1532-8023
DOI:
10.1177/0098628317745463
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2018
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2022179-4
SSG:
5,2
Permalink