Adoption results for self-reported personality

Evidence for nonadditive genetic effects

Bibliographic Data

ID6199726
AuthorsRobert Plomin (0000-0002-0756-3629, Psychiatry Research Trust, corresponding author), Robin Corley, Avshalom Caspi (0000-0003-0082-4600), David W Fulker (0009-0003-7561-0698), John Defries, John C Defries
Year1998
Volume75
Issue1
Pages211-218
Publication date1998-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037//0022-3514.75.1.211
PMID9686459
OpenAlexW2012705475
LanguageEN
Citations received30

Twin studies consistently indicate moderate genetic influence on individual differences in personality as assessed using self-report questionnaires, with heritability estimates typically about 40%. In this first analysis of self-report personality data from the longitudinal Colorado Adoption Project, little evidence is found for additive genetic influence in parent-offspring and sibling adoption analyses based on a foundation sample of 245 adoptive families and 245 nonadoptive families with adopted and nonadopted children assessed yearly from 9 to 16 years. Although several factors might contribute to the discrepancy between twin and adoption results, we suggest that nonadditive genetic influence, which can be detected by twin studies but not by adoption studies, is a likely culprit. These findings have important implications for attempts to identify specific genes responsible for genetic influence on personality

Behavioural genetics · Big Five personality traits · Developmental psychology · Heritability · Longitudinal sample · Personality · Sibling · Twin study · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Genetics · Psychology · Social Psychology