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The genetic correlation between impulsivity and sensation seeking traits
1Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. hurxx002@maroon.tc.umn.edu
Behavior Genetics
|October 23, 1997
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence the link between impulsivity and sensation seeking traits. These findings highlight shared biological mechanisms underlying these personality characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychology
Background:
- Previous research indicates a correlation between sensation seeking and impulsivity.
- The underlying factors contributing to this association require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic and environmental contributions to the relationship between impulsivity and sensation seeking traits.
- To determine the extent to which genetic factors mediate the observed correlations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from separated identical and fraternal twins and individuals from the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart.
- Administered the Control scale of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS).
- Employed Cholesky decomposition to analyze genetic and environmental influences.
Main Results:
- Confirmed significant correlations between the MPQ Control scale and the SSS.
- Cholesky decomposition revealed that genetic factors almost entirely mediate the phenotypic correlations between impulsivity and sensation seeking.
- Estimated that 55% of the genetic variance for the Control scale is shared with the SSS.
Conclusions:
- The association between impulsivity and sensation seeking is substantially influenced by common genetic factors.
- Results suggest shared biological underpinnings for these traits.
- Emphasizes the role of heritability in personality trait co-occurrence.