#1312 Kevin Mitchell: How to Understand Individual Differences in Psychological Traits
RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 22nd 2026.
Dr. Kevin Mitchell is Associate Professor of Genetics and Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin. He is interested in the development of connectivity in the brain, specifically in how this process is controlled by genes and how mutations in such genes affect the connectivity of neuronal circuits, influence behavior and perception and contribute to disease. His latest book is Free Agents: How Evolution Gave Us Free Will.
In this episode, we talk about the study of individual differences in psychological traits. We start by discussing what they are. We talk about process ontology and dynamical systems theory. We discuss animal models and ecology. We talk about what we can learn from behavioral genetics, the concept of heritability, and the role of the environment and gene-environment correlations. We discuss misconceptions people have about group differences. We talk about the role of randomness in development and psychology. Finally, we discuss why some behavioral scientists are determinists.
Time Links:
Intro
What are individual differences in psychological traits?
Process ontology and dynamical systems theory
Animals models and ecology
What can we learn from behavioral genetics?
Understanding heritability
When does the environment change traits, and when does it reinforce traits?
What can we tell about group differences?
The role of randomness in development and psychology
Free will
Follow Dr. Mitchell’s work!
Follow Dr. Mitchell’s work:
Faculty page: http://bit.ly/32qe0rS
Personal website: http://bit.ly/33Bpuc7
Free Agents: https://bit.ly/3GX0TEZ
Wiring the Brain (blog): http://bit.ly/2MKhzCA
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/2LVNCBJ
X handle: @WiringTheBrain