#728 – Gregory Clark – Is Social Status Determined By Your Genetics? | Modern Wisdom

Intro

In this episode of the “Modern Wisdom” podcast, host Chris Williamson interviews Gregory Clark, an economist and author, about the role of genetics in determining social status. They discuss Clark’s research on the heritability of social status, the impact of genetics on social mobility, and the challenges of publishing controversial research in this field.

Main Takeaways

Genetics and Social Status

• Social status is heavily predetermined by genetics, making it unlikely for descendants to escape their position on the social ladder.
• Research explores the heritability of social status and the impact of genetics on social hierarchy.
• Higher and lower social status can impact birth rates, and attractiveness can influence social status.

Gregory Clark’s Research Findings

• Gregory Clark’s research on the inheritance of social status in England over 400 years reveals three key aspects: strong inheritance of status, unchanged social mobility, and genetic correlation predicting social status.
• The methodology for tracking genetics across centuries involves using societies like the guild of one named studies to follow surnames’ history and make predictions based on a genetic model of transmission.
• Birth order does not significantly impact social outcomes, contrary to the popular belief that older children receive more attention and opportunities.
• Family size does not significantly influence outcomes, except for the top 1% of families where the oldest son tends to fare better than the younger sons.
• Overall, mothers and fathers play an equal role in predicting children’s outcomes, except for wealth, challenging traditional social beliefs and expectations.

Genetics and Social Mobility

• The study suggests that genetic transmission, rather than social transmission, explains people’s outcomes.
• Family culture and environment play a significant role in a child’s development.
• Behavioral genetics can influence a child’s upbringing.
• The genetic explanation of social inheritance and status is ideologically unpopular as it implies predetermined life chances and conservative social policy.
• Ignoring the genetic implications can lead to an overemphasis on education without strong evidence of its impact on social mobility.

Assortative Mating and Social Dynamics

• Assortative mating, measured through marriage records, plays a key role in social dynamics.
• The underlying social status of a person was crucial in marriage from 1837 till now.
• Marrying based solely on physical attractiveness would weaken the inheritance of status and result in less distribution of abilities in society.
• Studies show that women prioritize income and education in a marriage partner, while men focus more on physical appearance.
• On average, men and women in England marry people of equal status, indicating that social status plays a significant role in marriage choices.

Social Mobility and Birth Rates

• Declining birth rates are leading to a shift in social consequences and the inheritance of social status.
• People who are more right-leaning are having proportionally fewer children compared to left-leaning individuals, potentially affecting social status and educational achievement.
• The UK Biobank has metrics of genetic educational potential, and studies show a slight tendency for people with lower genetic potential to have more children.
• In the past, the upper classes in Britain had significantly more children than the lower classes, leading to changes in average ability levels.

Summary

Genetics and Social Status

Gregory Clark’s research on the inheritance of social status in England over 400 years reveals that social status is heavily predetermined by genetics. Higher and lower social status can impact birth rates, and attractiveness can influence social status. This challenges the belief that social mobility is solely based on individual effort and opportunities.

Genetics and Social Mobility

Clark’s research suggests that genetic transmission, rather than social transmission, explains people’s outcomes. Family culture and environment also play a significant role in a child’s development. Ignoring the genetic implications can lead to an overemphasis on education without strong evidence of its impact on social mobility. It is important to consider both genetic and environmental factors when discussing social mobility.

Assortative Mating and Social Dynamics

Assortative mating, where individuals choose partners of similar social status, plays a key role in social dynamics. Marrying based solely on physical attractiveness would weaken the inheritance of status and result in less distribution of abilities in society. Studies show that women prioritize income and education in a marriage partner, while men focus more on physical appearance. Social status plays a significant role in marriage choices, with men and women in England tending to marry people of equal status.

Social Mobility and Birth Rates

Declining birth rates are leading to a shift in social consequences and the inheritance of social status. People who are more right-leaning are having proportionally fewer children compared to left-leaning individuals, potentially affecting social status and educational achievement. Studies show a slight tendency for people with lower genetic potential to have more children, which can impact average ability levels over time. Understanding the relationship between social mobility and birth rates is crucial for shaping social policies.

Conclusion

Gregory Clark’s research on the role of genetics in social status challenges traditional beliefs about social mobility and individual control over outcomes. While genetics play a significant role in determining social status, family culture and environment also have an impact. It is important to consider both genetic and environmental factors when discussing social mobility and shaping social policies. Understanding the complexities of social dynamics and the interplay between genetics and social outcomes can lead to more informed decision-making and a deeper understanding of societal structures.