by Amanda W
Criminologist Kevin Beaver believes there is a correlation between young men with a specific gene and delinquent peer affiliation. The study states that adolescent men with the gene called 10-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) may be the cause for these young men getting involved with their delinquent peers. “This is the first study to establish a statistically significant association between an affinity for antisocial peer groups and a particular variation of gene.” The study’s analysis of family, peer and DNA data consisted of 1,816 boys in middle and high school in order to find this association. The researcher realized that it may not only be the gene that is responsible for this but also the environment that these boys are growing up in. It observed whether they were from a low-risk family (those with high levels of maternal engagement and warmth) or a high-risk family (one marked by a disengaged mother and an absence of maternal affection). The study found that this association primarily applied to those who were from high-risk families as opposed to a low-risk one. Therefore the research shows that not only is the genome an important factor this association but so is the social and family environment.
I think that this study was an interesting one in trying to connect a gene to a certain behavior. This goes back to the theory of Nature vs. Nuture, are we born already programmed to act a certain way or is it our environment that makes us behave how we do? I personally think that there could be more evidence to prove that this gene is responsible for this affiliation. The research gave a lot of evidence that made it seem like environmental factors are responsible for exacerbating this gene. Also in the study it mentions that female adolescents who carry the 10-repeat allele don’t hold this correlation. Which raises the question, why is this the case for males and not females? It’s interesting thought that a gene could be accountable for a boys draw to delinquent peers.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/fsu-srs100108.php
