Merle Feldbaum

TL;DR: The present research broadens the view of lay theories by showing how they support either prejudice or tolerance, depending on the target group, as well as reviewing the literature on essentialism and implicit theories of the malleability of traits.

TL;DR: During in-depth one-on-one telephone interviews with adults in the United States, questions exploring their basic understanding of these terms, as well as their belief as to the location of genes in the human body, reflected a lack of understanding about basic genetic science.

TL;DR: In-depth, open-ended telephone interviews with 42 White and 44 Black Americans to gain insight into the public's beliefs about the possible genetic origins of homosexuality found beliefs in a genetic basis for homosexuality could be used to support very diverse opinions including those in accordance with negative eugenic agendas.

TL;DR: The results underscore the need to consider more complex and nuanced issues than are implied by the simplistic, unidimensional character of the nature–nurture and determinism–free will debates—perennial controversies that have significance in the current genomic era.

TL;DR: The authors found that men were more likely than women to use genetics to explain perceived gender differences in nurturance, but not math ability or violence, suggesting such beliefs have ideological roots and discussed the potential of genetic explanations to reinforce stereotypes and to justify the social hierarchy.