Predisposition to Petty Criminality in Swedish Adoptees: II. Cross-Fostering Analysis of Gene-Environment Interaction
Abstract
The interaction of congenital and postnatal antecedents of criminality was studied in 862 Swedish men adopted at an early age by nonrelatives. Most explained variability was due to differences between the genetic predispositions of the adoptees, but substantial contributions were also made by postnatal environment, either alone or in combination with specific genetic subtypes. There was no overlap between the congenital antecedents of alcoholism and nonalcoholic criminality, but some postnatal variables were common to criminality and one type of alcoholism that is limited to expression in men, according to earlier studies. Low social status alone was not sufficient to lead to criminality, but did increase risk in combination with specific types of genetic predisposition. Unstable preadoptive placements contributed to the risks of both petty criminality and male-limited alcoholism, but not to other types of alcohol abuse. We discuss these results in terms of their clinical and social implications.
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Gene by environment (G × E) interactions are likely to exist, and the genetic propensity for aggression should exert its effects more strongly in some situations than others.
“Although few behavioral genetic studies have explicitly examined the question of gene by environment (G × E) interactions, we contend that such interactions are likely to exist and that the genetic propensity for aggression should exert its effects more strongly in some situations than others.”
From Human Aggression Across the Lifespan (2011) · cites this paper as Cloninger et al., 1982
In about 800 Swedish men adopted at an early age, when both inherited and environmental risk factors were present, 40% were criminal; with only genetic factors, 12.1% were criminal; with only environmental factors, 6.7% were criminal; and with neither, 2.7% were criminal.
“When both inherited factors and environmental risk factors were present, 40% were found to be criminal; if only genetic factors were present, 12.1% were criminal; if only environmental factors were present, 6.7% were criminal; and with neither inherited nor environmental factors being present, 2.7% were criminal (Cloninger et al., 1982).”
From Human Aggression Across the Lifespan (2011) · cites this paper as Cloninger et al., 1982
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References 15 · Cited by 224
- Authors
- Cloninger, C. R.
- Corresponding author
- Cloninger, C. Robert
- ORCID
- Cloninger, C. Robert
- Venue
- Archives of General Psychiatry
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 1982-11-01
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1242
- ISSN
- 0003-990X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2133091469
- Cited by
- 224
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 29.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of General Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Keywords
- adopted children, genetic susceptibility, postnatal environment, alcoholism, social status, criminal behavior, gene-environment interaction
- MeSH terms
- Adoption, Adult, Alcoholism, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Crime, Criminal Psychology, Genetics, Behavioral, Humans, Male, Parents, Risk, Social Class, Social Environment, Sweden
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