Genes, Development, Behavior, and Learning: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

基因、发育、行为和学习：概念和方法论问题

• 批准号: 9618229
• 负责人: Kenneth Schaffner
• 金额: $ 12万
• 依托单位: George Washington University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-02-01 至 2001-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9618229&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Genes; Development; Behavior; Learning; Conceptual

Behavioral genetics is an umbrella term encompassing studies purporting to show a connection between the genetic make up of an organism and its behavior. Such approaches have been applied to a variety of organisms, ranging from the relatively simple worm (C. elegans), through the fruit fly (Drosophila) and up to humans. Behavioral genetics research, involving both humans and simpler animal model systems, has accelerated in recent years. Yet the advances of that research have been questioned on both conceptual and methodological grounds, and have also been viewed as contentious by some because of the social implications of the work. The project will illuminate such issues by applying the tools and perspectives of analytic philosophic to the arguments and evidence offered in the scientific literature of behavioral genetics. Special attention will be given to the logical possibility of disentangling `genetic` from `environmental` influences, and the evidence required to do so in a convincing manner. The PI will also examine the causal claims made from various theoretical perspectives within behavioral genetics(e.g., developmentalist, interactionist, connectionistic, and classical perspectives). The project will result in a series of articles and a book, written for a variety of audiences that include scientists and philosophers, policy makers, and the general public.

行为遗传学是一项包含旨在显示生物体遗传组成及其行为之间有联系的研究。 这种方法已应用于各种生物，从相对简单的蠕虫（秀丽隐杆线虫）到果蝇（果蝇），再到人类。 近年来，行为遗传学研究涉及人类和更简单的动物模型系统。 然而，这项研究的进步都受到概念和方法论上的质疑，并且由于作品的社会影响而被某些人认为是有争议的。 该项目将通过将分析哲学的工具和观点应用于行为遗传学科学文献中提供的论点和证据来阐明此类问题。 将要特别注意将``遗传''的逻辑可能性以及以令人信服的方式这样做所需的证据。 PI还将检查行为遗传学内的各种理论观点（例如，发展主义者，互动主义者，联系和经典观点）的因果主张。 该项目将导致一系列文章和一本书，为包括科学家和哲学家，政策制定者和公众在内的各种观众而写。