NCJ Number
242803
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2013 Pages: 188-195
Date Published
June 2013
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed the relationship between the presence of three dopamine genes and psychopathy.
Abstract
This study explored the possibility that the presence of three dopamine genes could predict psychopathic personality traits in individuals. The three dopamine genes explored in the study were DAT1, DRD2, and DRD4. The study found that two of the three genes, DRD2 and DRD4, were significantly and positively correlated with a continuously coded measure of psychopathic personality traits. In addition, the study found that DRD4 was correlated with a dichotomously coded measure of psychopathic personality traits. These findings suggest that the presence of psychopathic personality traits in individuals may be predicated on the presence of certain genetic factors in those individuals. Data for the study were obtained from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. A subsample of participants (n=2,574) were included in the genetic study; individuals in this subsample were required to have a sibling who had also participated in the main study. Participants completed questionnaires that measured psychopathic personality traits. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between the presence of any of the dopamine genes and participants' scores on the psychopathic personality trait questionnaires. The findings indicate that genetic factors may be correlated to the existence of psychopathic personality traits in certain individuals. Study limitations are discussed. Tables, figure, appendix, and references