Multivariate genetic analyses and simple correlational analyses have been conducted to evaluate the extent to which the general factor (g) of intelligence is differentially heritable, compared to, for example, group factors. A positive correlation would be supportive of Jensen’s view, notably advanced in The g Factor (1998), of the heritable g. This can be interpreted to say that what makes people good at all tests has more genetic component than what makes people good at one specific test. On the other hand, if environmental effects are smaller at the g level, it would mean that what makes people good at all tests has less environmental component than what makes people good at one specific test. Similarly, if heritability is large at the g level and the environment is small at the g level, then g differences between persons are largely genetic, not environmental (Plomin, 2003, p. 186).
The present article is a review of the studies published so far and can be seen as a complement to my article on the genetics of intelligence. Brody (2007) and Deary (2006) have already reviewed a large part of the existing studies. But some features need to be highlighted. The article can be subjected to modifications if I happen to read some more studies not listed here. Shortly, there seems to be some proof of differential heritabilities, higher for g. But it’s not overwhelming.
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