Kevin Mitchell on The Genetics of Personality

May 10, 2022

Kevin Mitchell, an Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of "Innate," delves into the genetics of personality. He discusses how our brains are wired and the missing third piece in the nature vs. nurture debate. Topics like the relationship between genetics and traits such as extroversion or neuroticism are explored. Mitchell also examines the effects of parenting, the nuances of free will, and how brain plasticity influences personal development throughout our lives.

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INSIGHT

The Third Component

The nature versus nurture debate often overlooks a crucial third factor: development.
Developmental variation explains why identical twins with the same genes can have different personalities.

INSIGHT

Innate vs. Environmental Factors

Genetics and development are considered innate factors, shaping individual characteristics.
Environmental influences interact with these innate factors throughout life.

INSIGHT

Underlying Traits and Predispositions

Underlying personality traits reflect tendencies to act in certain ways across various contexts.
These traits, like extroversion or neuroticism, are influenced by underlying biological parameters.

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Kevin Mitchell is an author and an Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin. His research is aimed at understanding the genetic program specifying the wiring of the brain and its relevance to variation in human faculties. Kevin is also the author of the science blog, Wiring the Brain, and a number of books and publications.

In this episode, Eric and Kevin discuss his book, Innate: How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are.

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Kevin Mitchell and I Discuss the Genetics of Personality and…

His book, Innate: How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are
The missing third component in the Nature vs. Nurture debate
Innate Underlying Traits in the Brain: Extroversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience
The relationship between genetics and neurobiology
What “neurons that fire together, wire together” actually means
The difference between Personality Traits and Character Traits
The impact of parenting on underlying Personality Traits
How people differ in the amount of “free will” that they have
The connection between genetics and addiction
That we become ourselves throughout lifetime

Kevin Mitchell links:

Kevin’s Website

Twitter

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If you enjoyed this conversation with Kevin Mitchell, you might also enjoy these other episodes:

Integration of Science and Wisdom with Jeremy Lent

Neuropsychology and the Thinking Mind with Chris Niebauer

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