Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The genetic basis of personality refers to the idea that certain traits and characteristics, such as intelligence or temperament, are influenced by an individual's genetic makeup.
Heritability is the extent to which individual differences in a trait can be attributed to genetic factors. It measures how much variation in a trait is due to genetics rather than environmental influences.
Twin studies involve comparing similarities between identical (monozygotic) twins and fraternal (dizygotic) twins to determine the relative contributions of genetics and environment on specific traits or characteristics.
Gene-environment interaction: This term refers to the interplay between an individual's genes and their environment, where both factors influence each other in shaping an individual's personality or behavior.