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Genetic Glitch May Prevent Kids From Learning From Their Mistakes

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the bzzt-ow-bzzt-ow-bzzzzzzzzzt-ooooooow dept.

jamie pointed out an interesting piece being featured in Newsweek that claims a "genetic glitch" may prevent some kids from learning from their mistakes to the same degree as others. "If there is one thing experts on child development agree on, it is that kids learn best when they are allowed to make mistakes and feel the consequences. So Mom and Dad hold back as their toddler tries again and again to cram a round peg into a square hole. [...] But not, it seems, all kids. In about 30 percent, the coils of their DNA carry a glitch, one that leaves their brains with few dopamine receptors, molecules that act as docking ports for one of the neurochemicals that carry our thoughts and emotions. A paucity of dopamine receptors is linked to an inability to avoid self-destructive behavior such as illicit drug use. But the effects spill beyond such extremes. Children with the genetic variant are unable to learn from mistakes. No matter how many tests they blow by partying the night before, the lesson just doesn't sink in."

3 of 500 comments (clear)

  1. Takes all kinds by XanC · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is this humanity's insurance policy against catastrophic changes, where the old rules don't apply?

    1. Re:Takes all kinds by gregbot9000 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Well, until recently, pretty often. It 30% shows me there is obviously some form of survival benefit to this for it to be so high.

      They cast this in a very negative light, calling it a disability, but the inability to learn from mistakes is actually a god send. I don't know how many people I've seen get knocked down at work, or turned down by women and not get back up. It's the people who throw themselves at things against the odds and keeps fighting that truly captures the imagination. I'm not surprised it is as low as 30% when you see the state of politics and society.

      Mostly this article is a crock of shit. Genetics is becoming the new astrology, and I see little evidence that what they say really applies on a macro level.

  2. Re:Bart vs the Hamster by schon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    (is there nothing that the Simpsons don't have an appropriate quote for?)

    Scientology and abortion.

    Scientology because Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart) is a die-hard scientologist, and (if you believe the rumors) has threatened to quit if they poke fun at it. The closest they got was "The Joy of Sect" (wherein most of Springfield joins a cult.)

    Don't know the reason behind the abortion stance. Maybe because it's too hard to joke about tastefully.