Born That Way: Genes, Behavior, Personality 1st Edition

by William Wright (Author)

7 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0415924948

ISBN-10: 0415924944

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Taking the nature vs. nurture debate to a new level, this fascinating, comprehensive journey into the world of genetic research and molecular biology offers a fresh assessment of the work that has been done in this relatively new field during the last half century-work that has demolished common assumptions and overturned existing theories about what determines our personality and behavior.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An intriguing survey of genetic influence."
-"The Bookwatch, October 1999
"A stimulating and highly readable introduction to the nature-nurture debate. . . . Essential for those who want to keep pace with the rapidly evolving sciences that seek to tell us exactly who we are."
-The New York Times Book Review
..."well-written and forceful."
-Washington Times
"A gifted writer and an astute observer...offers an informative and engrossing account."
-Library Journal
"Precise and witty, sensitive and forward looking."
-Booklist

About the Author

William Wright, a biographer and journalist, has written for the New York Times, Town and Countryand Holiday and is the author of numerous books and articles. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Key West, Florida.

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (August 28, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0415924944
ISBN-13: 978-0415924948
Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 1 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 7 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,406,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2603 in Books > Medical Books > Basic Sciences > Genetics
- #3604 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Sexuality
- #4968 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Sexuality

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Joan Mazza

In a word: Fascinating!

December 28, 2000

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

William Wright tackles the link between genes and behavior in plain language. He makes it clear that as human beings with consciousness and choice, genes do not dictate behavior, but contribute to it. He separates the politics of the fear regarding genetic research from what we know and how we know it and how we use new information. He also discusses how researchers might avoid some methodological hazards or the accusation of fudged data (document everything!).
He says, "Most scientists take the position that knowledge is neutral, value free; the use to which it is put might be good or bad, beneficial or hurtful to society in general. First, learn as much as we can, then let society decide how new information will be used. The opponents of behavioral genetics have consistently feared such a climate of unfettered inquiry." (p. 215)
Much of this book focuses on twin studies, but Wright also describes some of the research on hormone levels and their effects. He attempts to tease out the variables of nature and nurture on specific behaviors such as intelligence, depression, and a tendency toward violence.
My reading of this book sparked a frenzy of my reading other books on twins, homosexuality, and other research on the links between genes, environment, and behavior. I highly recommend this book.
~~Joan Mazza, author of Dream Back Your Life; Dreaming Your Real Self; Things That Tick Me Off; and Exploring Your Sexual Self.

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C. Moseley

An Alluring Introduction to a Blinding Science

September 12, 2005

Format: Paperback

The developing understanding of the human genome will bring us the most dramatic medical changes that humans have ever seen and this book serves as more than a solid introduction to the science which is and has been developing at a blinding pace. Psychological theory of the last 60 years has been turned on its head as biologists offer genetic evidence of inherited traits that go far beyond eye and hair color and into wild, specific intricacies that definitely will blow your mind if you haven't read other texts dealing with this exciting topic. Wright offers a comprehensive and thorough view of what has been the battlefield between behavioral geneticists and environmentalists - the conclusion, as Wright and his contemporaries see it: nature vs nurture is no longer of any consequence, but nuture operates through nature. This is a critical distinction made by Wright numerous times through the book which indicates that rather than being condemned by our genes, our understanding of them helps us eliminate the environmental attributes that also play a role in our development. Very highly recommended. If your thirst for behavioral genetics isn't sated after reading this, I recommend Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene.

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Mark Forkheim

Nature vs Nurture ends in tie!

May 28, 2000

Format: Hardcover

Over all a very good book. It not only describes the twin studies in Minnesota, but also explains how genes influence, not determine, our behaviour.
Unfortunatly I was disapointed by the conclusion. Here the author makes some of his own speculations that really ignore facts.
He tries to state that the trouble in the former Yugoslavia is more genetic than cultural because they have been living in peace for so long. We actually don't know how they well they were getting along in a totalitarian society, and 50 years isn't even enough for one lifetime.
He also tries to say that anti-abortion sentiment might be natural, ignoring the fact that we have had ways of getting rid of unwanted children since at least the start of written history.
If it wasn't for the conclusion I would give it a 5.

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Bill Whiteside

Extraordinary information!

August 23, 1998

Format: Hardcover

Wright's book points out the profound issues confronting behavioral geneticists during this century. Major genetic breakthroughs in explaing our behavior become easy targets for the opposition since these ideas are outside their accepted "paradigm." Where are you, Thomas Kuhn? By marking the existence of monumental social programs being constructed out of the environmentalists' control over behavioral thinking, he reminds us how a little common sense could solve our societal problems. He says that environmentalists look for external "problem" issues that allow the continuance of victim mentality. In addition, he brings us to the point where other groundbreaking questions need to be asked and answered. Can we anticipate behavior by an individual's appearance...since the way we look is hereditary?

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Peter Thompson

Interesting and Highly Readable

October 26, 2000

Format: Paperback

Unlike other scientific books related to psychology and behavioral genetics, Mr. Wright's book does not bog down in "techno-jargon". He does a superb job at simplifying and codifying years of legitimate scienctific research regarding the genetic nudges of behavior. Having spent years myself as a psychology graduate student combing the same research, Wright is on target. The two most interesting aspects of his book is that he actually interviewed,face to face, prominent researchers in this field. Moreover, Wright adeptly outlined the history behind this turbulent subject. He put into words what I have observed for years; that some well-educated psychologists can be blinded to convincing scientific evidence. It is courageous of Mr. Wright to actually name the researchers which might have ulterior motives not to examine the evidence with an objective eye. In the end, "Born that Way", may not be the definitive book on behavioral genetics. However, it is an outstanding reference for people who wish to know more about where psychology has been and where it will soon be grounded. I certainly recommend this book to psychology students.

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A customer

Excellent coverage of the nature/nurture wars

July 16, 1998

Format: Hardcover

A wonderful book. Provides a detailed history of the nature/nurture controversy that has raged throughout the 20th century. Even though Wright makes no bones about his position (many characteristics are present from birth, although environment matters too) he gives thorough and fair coverage to the many arguments that arise over identical twin studies, adoption studies, etc.

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Born That Way: Genes, Behavior, Personality 1st Edition

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