Today, once marginal far-right political parties are supported by a growing proportion of the electorate. Some far-right figures insist that foreigners are and will always remain fundamentally different from natives; others do not hesitate to describe them as belonging to inferior races. Many far-right parties also prescribe gender roles according to traditional norms. Meanwhile, on what may seem like a different planet, scientists study how genes impact human beings.
The misuse and distortion of genetic science by white supremacists during the 20th century made genetic essentialism, the belief that genes can accurately predict complex behaviors and traits, a foundation of Western thinking. Today, essentialist assumptions remain embedded in US laws, policies, and cultural artifacts. To grow up in America is to be surrounded by many implicit and explicit messages that suggest genetic essentialism is ontologically accurate and to hear very few messages suggesting otherwise.
M.W. Feldman and Jessica Riskin
The Eugenics Acceptance Measure contains 15 items that can be completed on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
This version of the Genetic Essentialism Scale for Race (GESR) measures beliefs about the relationship between genes and race with 9 items. Participant responses are recorded on a four-point Likert scale.
The Genetic Essentialism Scale for Race (GESR) measures beliefs about the relationship between genes and race with 15 items. Please see Table 1 of linked article by Yaylacı and colleagues for complete list of survey items. Participant responses are recorded on a five-point Likert scale (“Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree” or “Don’t Know”).
The Genetic Essentialism Scale for Race (GESR) measures beliefs about the relationship between genes and race with 15 items. Please see Table 1 of linked article by Yaylacı and colleagues for complete list of survey items. Participant responses are recorded on a five-point Likert scale (“Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree” or “Don’t Know”).