Behavioral Genetics and Child Temperament

Overview

Journal J Dev Behav Pediatr

Specialties Pediatrics
Social Sciences

Date 2005 Jun 16

PMID 15956873

Citations 79

Authors

Kimberly J Saudino

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Most temperament theories presume a biological basis to those behavioral tendencies thought to be temperamental in origin. Behavioral genetic methods can be used to test this assumption. Twin and adoption studies suggest that individual differences in infant and child temperament are genetically influenced. However, behavioral genetics has much more to offer to the study of temperament than simple heritability estimates. The present paper describes some recent findings from behavioral genetics research in temperament that go well beyond the basic nature-nurture question. These findings include the importance of nonshared environmental influences on temperament, genetic continuity and environmental change during development, links between temperament and behavior problems, and harnessing the power of molecular genetics to identify specific genes responsible for genetic influence on early temperament.

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