TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular genetic underpinnings of self-control
T2 - 5-HTTLPR and self-control in a sample of inmates
AU - Wells, Jessica
AU - Armstrong, Todd
AU - Boutwell, Brian
AU - Boisvert, Danielle
AU - Flores, Shahida
AU - Symonds, Mary
AU - Gangitano, David
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
PY - 2015/9/1
Y1 - 2015/9/1
N2 - Purpose: Several studies now show that self-control, as proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), is at least moderately heritable. Studies of molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function suggest that the heritability of self-control may be explained, in part, by the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Methods: The current research tests the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and self-control as measured by the Grasmick et al. (1993) scale. Analyses were based on a sample of incarcerated males and considered the effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on the full self-control scale as well as the specific dimensions of self-control. Results: The s/s genotype interacted with abuse to predict increases in overall self-control, preference for simple tasks and physical activity. Relative to the s/l genotype, the l/l genotype, which has been linked to psychopathy, was directly associated with more self-centeredness. Conclusions: Results show that molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function plays a role in the heritability of self-control. Variation in the association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and the distinct dimensions of self-control, while consistent with recent literature (see Yildirim & Derksen, 2013), indicates that self-control as originally presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) is not a unitary construct.
AB - Purpose: Several studies now show that self-control, as proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), is at least moderately heritable. Studies of molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function suggest that the heritability of self-control may be explained, in part, by the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. Methods: The current research tests the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and self-control as measured by the Grasmick et al. (1993) scale. Analyses were based on a sample of incarcerated males and considered the effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on the full self-control scale as well as the specific dimensions of self-control. Results: The s/s genotype interacted with abuse to predict increases in overall self-control, preference for simple tasks and physical activity. Relative to the s/l genotype, the l/l genotype, which has been linked to psychopathy, was directly associated with more self-centeredness. Conclusions: Results show that molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function plays a role in the heritability of self-control. Variation in the association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and the distinct dimensions of self-control, while consistent with recent literature (see Yildirim & Derksen, 2013), indicates that self-control as originally presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) is not a unitary construct.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84938695193&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2015.07.004
U2 - 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2015.07.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2015.07.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84938695193
SN - 0047-2352
VL - 43
SP - 386
EP - 396
JO - Journal of Criminal Justice
JF - Journal of Criminal Justice
IS - 5
ER -