Distinct genetic and environmental origins of hierarchical cognitive abilities in adult humans

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) 2024-04, Vol.43 (4), p.114060-114060, Article 114060
• Main Authors: Jiang, Shaohan, Sun, Fanru, Yuan, Peijun, Jiang, Yi, Wan, Xiaohong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cognition - physiology; cognitive development; cognitive hierarchy; CP: Neuroscience; culture learning; enviroments; Environment; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; genetics; heritability; Humans; Individuality; Male; mentalizing; metacognition; socioeconomic status; twins; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114060

Human cognitive abilities ranging from basic perceptions to complex social behaviors exhibit substantial variation in individual differences. These cognitive functions can be categorized into a two-order hierarchy based on the levels of cognitive processes. Second-order cognition including metacognition and mentalizing monitors and regulates first-order cognitive processes. These two-order hierarchical cognitive functions exhibit distinct abilities. However, it remains unclear whether individual differences in these cognitive abilities have distinct origins. We employ the classical twin paradigm to compare the genetic and environmental contributions to the two-order cognitive abilities in the same tasks from the same population. The results reveal that individual differences in first-order cognitive abilities were primarily influenced by genetic factors. Conversely, the second-order cognitive abilities have a stronger influence from shared environmental factors. These findings suggest that the abilities of metacognition and mentalizing in adults are profoundly shaped by their environmental experiences and less determined by their biological nature. [Display omitted] •Human cognitive abilities can be categorized into a two-order hierarchy•First-order cognitive abilities are primarily influenced by genetic factors•Second-order cognitive abilities are more influenced by environmental factors•Multiple family factors contribute to second-order cognitive abilities Jiang et al. employ the classical twin paradigm to compare the genetic and environmental contributions to human cognitive abilities. They reveal that the first-order cognitive abilities are primarily influenced by genetic factors, but the second-order cognitive abilities of metacognition and mentalizing are more influenced by shared environmental factors.