A new study seems to prove that genetically diverse groups of people make more accurate collective judgments than genetically homogeneous groups.
The study, conducted by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, involved 602 identical and fraternal twins who were given the task of making numerical judgments in pairs.
The participants were mixed together to create both heterogeneous (non-blood related) and homogeneous (blood related) pairs.
The results of the study showed that the judgments of heterogeneous couples were more accurate than those of homogeneous couples, thus minimizing the influence of genetic relatedness.
This means that genetic diversity improves the collective cognitive abilities of groups and provides insight into how diverse groups can achieve smarter outcomes.
Study leader Meir Barneron, who holds a doctorate in psychology in the area of judgment and decision-making, said the findings “highlight the significant impact that genetic diversity can have on collective decision-making and underscore the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms to improve our cognitive abilities and tackle complex challenges more effectively.”
This research was recently published in Personality and individual differences scientific journal.
Larger phenomenon
The study was conducted as part of a broader global investigation into the origins of the “wisdom of the crowds” phenomenon, which focuses on the role of genetic diversity in increasing collective intelligence.
Previous studies have shown that combining individual judgments can improve accuracy, especially when individuals differ in background, education, and demographic characteristics.
Barneron’s research is the first empirical evidence of the benefits of genetic diversity for collective judgment.
Barneron, a faculty member and lecturer at HUJ’s Seymour Fox School of Education, said this empirical evidence supports the idea that diverse teams may be better equipped to tackle complex problems and innovate effectively, which could have significant implications for organizational management.
Furthermore, the research contributes to our understanding of genetic diversity as a fundamental aspect of biodiversity and highlights its crucial role in the adaptation, resilience and long-term survival of populations in the face of environmental change.
