Genetic and environmental contributions to stability and change in levels of self-control

Looking for reward in all the wrong places: dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms indirectly affect aggression through sensation-seeking

“…As such, lower-functioning DRD2 genotypes are likely to also impair self-control by blunting the activity in the brain areas. This prediction meshes well with previous research suggesting that self-control, and its neural bases, has a substantial genetic component (Beaver, Connolly, Schwartz, Al-Ghamdi, & Kobeisy, 2013; Yancey, Venables, Hicks, & Patrick, 2013). Aggression often arises from impaired self-control (DeLisi & Vaughn, 2014; Denson, DeWall, & Finkel, 2012; Finkel, 2013; Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990).…”

The Importance of Parenting in the Development of Self-Control in Boys and Girls: Results from a Multinational Study of Youth

“…Jackson and Beaver 2013), neighborhood disadvantage (Teasdale & Silver, 2009), and genetics (Beaver, Connolly, Schwartz, Al-Ghamdi, & Kobeisy, 2013;Boisvert, Boutwell, Barnes, & Vaske, 2013;Wright & Beaver, 2005; see also De Lisi, 2015 for a thorough review of the literature). In fact, research on self-control juxtaposing genetic influences and environmental elements reports significant heritability of self-control (Barnes, Boutwell, Beaver, Gibson, & Wright, 2014;Wright, Beaver, DeLisi, & Vaughn, 2008;Beaver et al, 2013; see also Yancey, Venables, Hicks, & Patrick, 2013) thus identifying parenting as one of the many factors possibly affecting self-control (Turkheimer, 2000). These studies suggest that any association between parenting and self-control is either spurious due to genetic factors responsible for deficient parenting and low self-control levels in children (e.g.…”

Genetic and environmental influences on antisocial behavior

“…Following this line of research, Beaver et al (2013) examined the genetic and environmental stability and change in self-control measured at three time points (1994, 1996, and 1998; N = 2,412 total sibling pairs). Data were drawn from the Child and Young Adult Supplement of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (CNLSY).…”