Genetics and Child Development: Recent Advances and Their Implications for Developmental Research

Abstract

Recent genetic discoveries offer a new lens through which to study cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social processes that are foundational to children’s development. In this article, we review the latest advances in genomics—genome-wide association studies and the polygenic scores that have come out of them—and discuss how these techniques can be leveraged to shed light on developmental research questions. Then, we describe how developmental scientists might apply these methods in their own lines of work—for example, in investigations of individual differences in developmental trajectories, intergenerational transmission, peer relationships, and processes of resilience and positive adaptation. Finally, we discuss ethical concerns and limitations of genetics research as they pertain to developmental science.