I’m a psychology student familiar with both Steven Pinker’s and Robert Plomin’s work, particularly Pinker’s The Blank Slate and Plomin’s Blueprint. I’m also acquainted with the “Three Laws of Behavior Genetics,” as presented in The Blank Slate, where your work is cited—otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about you and your fascinating work.
In Blueprint, Plomin emphasizes that all traits are heritable, a finding so robust it’s often referred to as the “first law of behavior genetics”—and it its indeed accurate that he references himself on this s.34. At the same time, he is talking about personality in particular and is citing his paper “The Top 10 Replicated Findings in Behavioral Genetics” where you are vigorously referenced, including your article “The Three Laws of Behavior Genetics and What They Mean.” But I do agree that it would have been preferable for him to cite you directly, but I don’t think he portraying in a way that would incline people to believe that it is his finding or law.
Regarding Pinker not mentioning you in his public discussions or promotional material, I don’t perceive any ill intent. He seems to be summarizing his book, where you are explicitly cited.
Lastly, I wouldn’t classify either Pinker or Plomin as genetic determinists. From my perspective, neither of their works gives that impression. I do agree, however, that Plomin tends to have a narrower focus as a scientist, while Pinker delves more deeply into the roles of environment and culture.
Thanks for your comment. In both cases, it isn't really the case that once-removed citations (citing your own work in which you cite the original author) isn't really appropriate. I'm not saying it is plagiarism, but just that it is motivated. They don't cite me because they know what I stand for, so they use the part of my ideas that suits them while ignoring the bigger picture.
Hi,
I’m a psychology student familiar with both Steven Pinker’s and Robert Plomin’s work, particularly Pinker’s The Blank Slate and Plomin’s Blueprint. I’m also acquainted with the “Three Laws of Behavior Genetics,” as presented in The Blank Slate, where your work is cited—otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about you and your fascinating work.
In Blueprint, Plomin emphasizes that all traits are heritable, a finding so robust it’s often referred to as the “first law of behavior genetics”—and it its indeed accurate that he references himself on this s.34. At the same time, he is talking about personality in particular and is citing his paper “The Top 10 Replicated Findings in Behavioral Genetics” where you are vigorously referenced, including your article “The Three Laws of Behavior Genetics and What They Mean.” But I do agree that it would have been preferable for him to cite you directly, but I don’t think he portraying in a way that would incline people to believe that it is his finding or law.
Regarding Pinker not mentioning you in his public discussions or promotional material, I don’t perceive any ill intent. He seems to be summarizing his book, where you are explicitly cited.
Lastly, I wouldn’t classify either Pinker or Plomin as genetic determinists. From my perspective, neither of their works gives that impression. I do agree, however, that Plomin tends to have a narrower focus as a scientist, while Pinker delves more deeply into the roles of environment and culture.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for your comment. In both cases, it isn't really the case that once-removed citations (citing your own work in which you cite the original author) isn't really appropriate. I'm not saying it is plagiarism, but just that it is motivated. They don't cite me because they know what I stand for, so they use the part of my ideas that suits them while ignoring the bigger picture.
Yeah. That’s right, less of a scientific entanglement with their approach.
+ with appraisal you mean smt like this? =>
https://featuredcontent.psychonomic.org/ad-hoc-concepts-as-a-fundamental-operating-principle-of-the-brain/
Thanks for that. I wonder if those ideas have ever been applied to psychiatric classification, a longterm interest of mine?