The Gene Illusion

The Gene Illusion

Cover of the first edition
Author	Jay Joseph
Language	English
Subject	Psychiatry
Published	2003
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print

The Gene Illusion^[1] is a 2003 book by clinical psychologist Jay Joseph,^[2] in which the author challenges the evidence underlying genetic theories in psychiatry and psychology. Focusing primarily on twin and adoption studies, he attempts to debunk the methodologies used to establish genetic contributions to schizophrenia, criminal behaviour, and IQ. In the nature and nurture debate on the causes of mental disorders, Joseph's criticisms of genetic research in psychiatry have found their place among those who argue that the environment is overwhelmingly the cause of these disorders, particularly with psychiatry critic Jonathan Leo,^[3][4] and with Oliver James.^[5][6][7] It was also reviewed favorably in Choice^[8] and the British Journal of Learning Disabilities.^[9] Some of the conclusions of The Gene Illusion have been criticized in reviews of the book.^[10][11]

See also

• Anti-psychiatry
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder controversies
• Biological psychiatry
• Biopsychiatry controversy
• Causes of schizophrenia
• Inheritance of intelligence
• Mad in America

References

1. Joseph, J. (2003). The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology under the Microscope. PCCS Books. ISBN 1-898059-47-0.
2. Newnes, C. "Not at all in the genes: Craig Newnes interviews Jay Joseph" (PDF). Critical Psychology & Psychiatry. Shropshire, England: Dept. of Psychological Therapies, South Staffs & Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
3. Leo, J. (2003). "The fallacy of the 50% concordance rate for schizophrenia in identical twins". Human Nature Review. 3: 406–415.
4. Leo, J. (2006). "Schizophrenia Adoption Studies". PLOS Medicine. 3 (8): e366. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030366. PMC 1564288. PMID 16942400.
5. James, Oliver (3 October 2003). "Required reading". The Times. London.^{[dead link‍]}
6. James, Oliver (17 May 2003). "Children before cash". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
7. James, Oliver (19 June 2006). "Can maternal anxiety lead to ADHD". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 11 February 2007.
8. Stark, C. P. (June 2005). "The gene illusion: genetic research in psychiatry and psychology under the microscope". Choice. 42: 1902.
9. Goodey, Chris (March 2004). "The Gene Illusion: Genetic Research in Psychiatry and Psychology under the Microscope". British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 32 (1): 44–45. doi:10.1111/j.1354-4187.2004.0238b.x. ISSN 1354-4187.
10. Hanson, D. (2005). "The Gene Illusion Confusion". PsycCRITIQUES. 50 (52): art. 10. doi:10.1037/04131512.
11. Spinath, F. (2004). "The Gene Illusion: Genetic research in psychiatry and psychology under the microscope". Intelligence. 32 (4): 425–427. doi:10.1016/j.intell.2004.04.001.

External links

• Jay Joseph's Web site