Passive genotype-environment correlations occur when
Multiple Choice
children grow up in a rearing environment provided by the biological parents.
children seek out environments they find compatible and stimulating.
children follow their own inherited predispositions despite being adopted by different families.
children’s characteristics elicit certain types of physical and social environments.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
children grow up in a rearing environment provided by the biological parents.
Explanation:
A passive genotype-environment correlation occurs when children inherit both genetic traits from their biological parents and are simultaneously raised in environments that are influenced by those same parents’ traits. This correlation happens because the genetic predispositions of the biological parents play a significant role in shaping the environment they provide for their children.
For example, if a parent is highly intellectual and values education, their children are more likely to inherit intellectual abilities (genetic predisposition) and grow up in a home environment that is stimulating, with access to books, educational activities, and discussions that promote cognitive development. The correlation is termed “passive” because the environment provided by the parents aligns with the children’s genetic tendencies without active selection or choice by the children.
It is important to note that passive genotype-environment correlations occur when the child is not actively involved in selecting or shaping their environment. Instead, the correlation arises naturally from the genetic traits of the parents and the environment they create. This is different from other types of genotype-environment correlations, such as evocative and active correlations, where children actively seek or evoke specific environmental responses based on their own traits.
To summarize:
- Passive genotype-environment correlations are driven by the environment provided by the parents, which is influenced by their genetic characteristics.
- This type of correlation is less about the child’s active choices and more about how the inherited traits of the biological parents shape the rearing environment.