Genetic and Environmental Influences on Levels of Self-Control and Delinquent Peer Affiliation

Abstract

Despite the fact that low self-control and exposure to delinquent peers are two of the most robust and consistent predictors of crime, delinquency, and antisocial behavior, much remains unknown about what causes self-control to develop and what causes youths to befriend antisocial peers. This study estimated the relative effects of environmental and genetic factors on levels of self-control and contact with delinquent peers in a sample of twins from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). DeFries-Fulker analysis of the Add Health data revealed that both self-control and contact with drug-using friends were influenced by genetic factors and the nonshared environment, whereas the shared environment exhibited relatively small and inconsistent effects. Implications for self-control theory and social learning theory are discussed.

Associations Between Violent Video Gaming, Empathic Concern, and Prosocial Behavior Toward Strangers, Friends, and Family Members

“…Finally, it also has been argued that influences more proximal to youth (peer influence, home environment, etc.) will have greater effects on behavior than will media outlets (Beaver et al 2009;Pinker 2002). While it is necessary to note that the impact of video gaming is still in need of greater empirical and theoretical clarity, most of these studies and the bulk of research on violent video gaming in general debate over outcomes having to do with aggression rather than prosocial outcomes (such as prosocial behavior and empathic concern).…”

Estudo de revisão dos fatores biológicos, sociais e ambientais associados com o comportamento agressivo

“…57,58 According to the social learning theory, the main risk factors for conduct disorder, aggressiveness, delinquency and crime are low levels of self-control and self-regulation and exposure to delinquent peers. 59,60 Children that are either inconsistently punished or rewarded, who witness family conflicts or whose parent is involved in crime are unable to develop the skills required for coping with social problems. Parents are responsible for passing on the first batch of information that allows children to develop their social skills; children born to negligent parents that engage in erratic discipline, are in conflict with each other or commit crimes exhibit early criminal behavior which, in turn, can be attributed to the maintenance of such behavior during their lifetime.…”

“…64,65 Teenagers who spend time with delinquent peers are more likely to behave in a delinquent fashion. 60 Their low level of self-control and strong impulsiveness, which may be mediated by genetic and environmental factors make them feel attracted to these groups and rejected by pro-social groups due to their limited verbal skills and their narrow pool of solutions to which they can resort to solve their social problems. Teenagers who are poorly attached to their mothers or whose parents are absent, poorly engaged or emotionally disconnected or, still, whose parents are overly permissive get more frequently involved with delinquency, the use of alcohol and drugs and are more likely to socialize with delinquent peers.…”

“…Because failures in this system are strongly influenced by genetic factors (50% to 90% inheritance), a hostile and stressful environment -especially with respect to family members or caregivers serves as a catalyst for aggressive behavior in predisposed individuals. 5,60,69 Therefore, self-control and self-regulation are associated with genetic and social factors, i.e. socializing with parents, neighbors and schoolmates.…”

A Multivariate Analysis of Youth Violence and Aggression: The Influence of Family, Peers, Depression, and Media Violence

“…Arguably, this highlights ongoing uncertainty and debate about the underlying causes. Many factors, such as peer delinquency, 14 family violence and discord, 15 and depression, 16 have been examined in the past. Also, neighborhood characteristics such as community disorganization including the number of youth and adult gangs have been studied, as well as biologic and psychological characteristics of youth.…”