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One consequence of the recent expansion of human genetic variability is that a number of culturally relevant SNPs are also local and cross-culturally variable in frequencies. For example, long (e.g., 7-repeat) allelic versions of dopamine receptor gene 4 (DRD4) have been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and novelty seeking. Importantly, these versions of the gene are quite common among Caucasian Americans, but they are virtually absent among Asians. Chen et al. (1999) hypothesize that long allelic versions of DRD4 provide a selective advantage in new, challenging environments because they are increasingly predominant as a function of the distance by which different ethnic groups immigrated in historic and evolutionary times (for alternative possibilities, see Cochran & Harpending 2009). Findings such as these strongly suggest that to fully understand the origins of cultural differences in psychological processes, genetic processes must be taken into account.Years ago, John Ratey and I argued in Shadow Syndromes that Americans had a higher genetic propensity to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and we were right.
Shinobu Kitayama1 and Ayse K. Uskul. Culture, Mind, and the Brain: Current Evidence and Future Directions. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2011. 62:419–49.Chen C, Burton M, Greenberger E, Dmitrieva J. 1999. Population migration and the variation of dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) allele frequencies around the globe. Evol. Hum. Behav. 20:309–24.
Americans need precision teaching because it's fast, and it's efficient:
Morningside Academy offers a money-back guarantee for progressing 2 years in 1 in the skill of greatest deficit. In twenty-five years, Morningside Academy has returned less than one percent of school-year tuition.zip
7 comments:
also, it works
Since I've been right once, I'm making a second prediction: a significant portion of U.S. student 'creativity,' which seems to be a real phenomenon, is attributable to the long allele of DRD4.
"The same gene has already been linked to alcoholism and gambling addiction, as well as less destructive thrills like a love of horror films. One study linked the gene to an openness to new social situations, which in turn correlated with political liberalism."
http://www.livescience.com/9043-sleep-blame-genes.html
You can't expect people who've got this thing to sit still for Kumon!
I say that with love.
I'd love to know if I have the long allele.
I assume I do, but it's not a slam dunk.
Binder, C., & Watkins, C. L. (1990). Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction: Measurably superior instructional technology in schools. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 3(4), 74-96.
SPEED and accuracy!
"The Morningside Academy in Seattle, for example, reports that students who had previously progressed by only 2 to 3 months of academic achievement per year of public school instruction, as measured on standard tests, routinely improve by two full grade levels on two skills per month using a combination of Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction methods and materials (Johnson, 1989)."
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