Citation
Beaver, K. M.; Ratchford, M.; & Ferguson, C. J. (2009). Evidence of genetic and environmental effects on the development of low self-control. Criminal Justice and Behavior. vol. 36 (11) pp. 1158-1172Abstract
A body of research has revealed that low self-control is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of antisocial behaviors. As a result, there is great interest in identifying the factors that cause variation in levels of self-control. Much of this work has centered on identifying the effects that social factors, such as parental socialization, have on self-control. More recently, however, there has been research revealing that levels of self-control are scripted by genetic factors as well as environmental factors. The current study examines whether a polymorphism (5HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter gene and exposure to delinquent peers are associated with levels of self-control. Analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health indicates that the 5HTTLPR polymorphism interacted with a measure of delinquent peer affiliation to predict variation in self-control during adolescence and adulthood. Implications for theories of crime causation are discussed.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0093854809342859Keyword(s)
GeneticReference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
Criminal Justice and BehaviorAuthor(s)
Beaver, K. M.Ratchford, M.
Ferguson, C. J.