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Behavioral genetics of personality.

Svenn Torgersen1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Postbox 1094 - Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway. svenn.torgersen@psykologi.uio.no

Current Psychiatry Reports
|February 19, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Behavioral genetic research now explores personality disorders and gene-environment interactions. Future studies will clarify how heredity shapes life experiences and mental health outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral genetics
  • Personality psychology
  • Psychiatric genetics

Background:

  • Behavioral genetic personality research has evolved beyond basic genetic and environmental effects.
  • Recent work includes personality disorders, developmental stages (childhood/adolescence), gender, and rater effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in behavioral genetic personality research.
  • To highlight the integration of multivariate methods and the investigation of gene-environment interplay.

Main Methods:

  • Application of multivariate statistical methods.
  • Investigation of situation variables and gene-environment correlations.
  • Examination of gene-environment interactions.

Main Results:

  • Multivariate methods are used to analyze latent structures of genetic and environmental influences.
  • Gene-environment correlations (genotype influencing situation selection) and interactions (genotype moderating situation effects) are key areas of focus.
  • Research is expanding to include personality disorders and developmental trajectories.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral genetics is increasingly focused on complex gene-environment interplay.
  • Future research will elucidate how heritable personality traits influence life experiences, mental health, and mental disorders.
  • Understanding the genetic underpinnings of mental health and disorders is a primary future goal.

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