Ebook: Perspectives in Behavior Genetics

"The authors were given free choice of subject and format. The result is a variety of topics that have been researched mainly over the past decade. Chapter 1, by Fuller and Simmel, is an exception. We have simply looked at the work of others in behavior genetics over a quarter-century and tried to detect trends in the types of research done in the field. In many ways the objectives of today's researchers have been shaped by persons such as Dobzhansky and Thompson, whose ideas have influenced the directions of research since behavior genetics has been recognized as a discipline. Perhaps the most important advance over the past 25 years is the recognition of the need for methods of analyzing complex data banks.
In Chapter 2, DeFries, Vogler, and LaBuda describes a long-term project dealing with the heritability of differences in reading ability. The problem of dyslexia is serious, and it is difficult to separate the importance of biological and environmental factors. Their work is ongoing, but already important data has been collected.
Chapter 3 is concerned with the genetics of audiogenic seizures in inbred mice. It is well known that genes have an important influence on susceptibility to high-pitched sounds. Henry has investigated the genetic factors responsible for pathological features in the nervous system.
Kovach, in chapter 4, summarizes a long program of studying color preferences in newly hatched Japanese quail. Most tantalizing is his discovery that such preferences appear to be mainly innate although some learning also occurs. His research is a fine example of methodology for dealing with the heredity-environment question.
In chapter 5, Ricker, Hirsch, Holiday, and Vargo consider the learning ability of the blow-fly (_Phormia_) and the fruit-fly (_Drosophila_). The problems deal with distinguishing between learning in its usual sense and transient changes in responsivity.
Stabenau, in chapter 6, deals with the genetic aspects of human alcoholism. He discusses both biological and environmental factors involved in the pathology of this costly plague. It becomes clear that progress against this disease will require more multidisciplinary research than has been carried out up to this time."