A new study demonstrates that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments than genetically homogeneous groups, providing the first empirical evidence of genetic diversity's role in enhancing collective intelligence. This finding is crucial as it suggests that genetic diversity can significantly improve group decision-making processes, which has profound implications for organizational management, innovation, and our understanding of biodiversity's role in adaptation and resilience.
The study, led by Dr. Meir Barneron from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reveals that genetically diverse groups make more accurate collective judgments compared to genetically homogeneous groups. Published in Personality and Individual Differences, this research provides new insights into the origins of the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon, emphasizing the role of genetic diversity in enhancing collective intelligence.
Study Methology
Past studies have suggested that combining individual judgments can improve accuracy, especially when individuals differ in background, education, and demography. However, Dr. Barneron's research takes this a step further by proposing that genetic diversity itself contributes significantly to the accuracy of combined judgments.
The study involved 602 identical and fraternal twins, who participated by making numerical judgments in pairs. These pairs consisted either of co-twins (related pairs) or non-related individuals (unrelated pairs). The results revealed that judgments made by unrelated (i.e., heterogenous) pairs were more accurate than those made by related (i.e., homogeneous) pairs. This finding could theoretically emerge from either environmental or genetic factors.
Genetic vs. Environmental Factors
To distinguish between environmental and genetic factors, the study compared the performance of related and unrelated pairs among identical and fraternal twins. Genetic influences make identical twins more similar to one another compared to fraternal twins, as the former share nearly 100% of their genetic variance, while the latter share, on average, 50%.
The findings revealed that the superior performance of unrelated versus related pairs was evident among identical twins, underscoring the impact of genetic relatedness on collective judgment.
Implications
Dr. Barneron's research is the first empirical demonstration of the benefits of genetic diversity for collective judgments. The findings suggest that genetic diversity enhances the collective cognitive abilities of groups, providing a deeper understanding of how diverse crowds can achieve wiser outcomes. By uniquely highlighting the genetic aspect, this research adds a new dimension to the ‘wisdom of crowds’ phenomenon.
"These findings highlight the significant impact genetic diversity can have on collective decision-making, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms to enhance our cognitive abilities and tackle complex challenges more effectively." - Dr. Meir Barneron, Hebrew University.
"These findings highlight the significant impact genetic diversity can have on collective decision-making, underscoring the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms to enhance our cognitive abilities and tackle complex challenges more effectively," said Dr. Meir Barneron.
Utilizing a sample of identical and fraternal twins, the study effectively isolates genetic diversity, allowing for a clear comparison between genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, and providing robust evidence for the hypothesis. This empirical evidence supports the broader theory that diversity enhances decision-making, with significant implications for organizational management. It suggests that diverse teams may be better equipped to tackle complex problems and innovate effectively.
Moreover, the research contributes to our understanding of genetic diversity as a fundamental aspect of biodiversity, highlighting its crucial role in adaptation, resilience, and the long-term survival of populations in the face of environmental changes.
The research paper titled “Genetically-diverse crowds are wiser” is now available at Personality and Individual Differences and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/personality-and-individual-differences
Researchers:
Meir Barnerona, Ilan Yanivb, Lior Abramsonb c, Ariel Knafo-Noamb
Institution:
- Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, United States
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