Importantly, genetic stability (rA) is not directly tied to the magnitude of genetic influence (a) on the trait. A highly heritable phenotype may be influenced by the same genetic factors at two time points, and similarly, a largely environmentally influenced phenotype may still be influenced (to a minor degree) by the same genetic factors at two time points. Despite differences in heritability across these two scenarios, genetic stability may be the same. Likewise, a phenotype may reflect large or minimal environmental effects, but only if these influences persist through time will environmental stability be high. The magnitude and stability of genetic and environmental effects provide distinct pieces of information.
