Anthony Walsh

A gene × gene interaction between DRD2 and DRD4 is associated with conduct disorder and antisocial behavior in males

BackgroundAntisocial behaviors are complex polygenic phenotypes that are due to a multifactorial arrangement of genetic polymorphisms. Little empirical research, however, has been undertaken that examines gene × gene interactions in the etiology of conduct disorder and antisocial behavior. This study examined whether adolescent conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior were related to the dopamine D2 receptor polymorphism (DRD2) and the dopamine D4 receptor polymorphism (DRD4).MethodsA sample of 872 male participants from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) completed self-report questionnaires that tapped adolescent conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior. DNA was genotyped for DRD2 and DRD4.ResultsMultivariate regression analysis revealed that neither DRD2 nor DRD4 had significant independent effects on conduct disorder or antisocial behavior. However, DRD2 interacted with DRD4 to predict variation in adolescent conduct disorder and in adult antisocial behavior.ConclusionThe results suggest that a gene × gene interaction between DRD2 and DRD4 is associated with the development of conduct disorder and adult antisocial behavior in males.

The Effects of Maltreatment and Family Structure on Minor and Serious Delinquency

This study explores the influence of maltreatment on serious violent and property delinquency as well as on minor misbehavior offenses among a sample of White male delinquents. A recent influential study concluded that this relationship has been exaggerated and found it to be nonexistent for serious offending after the effects of family structure were factored in. This article points out some of the deficiencies in that research and demonstrates that when both delinquency and maltreatment are measured comprehensively, the relationship is robust controlling for type of family structure, verbal IQ, family size, and birth order. Although it was found that the variables impact differentially according to the type of delinquency being examined, in every case, maltreatment was found to account for significant independent variance. It was also found that delinquents from homes broken by desertion were the most maltreated and the most delinquent.

Self-esteem and sexual behavior: Exploring gender differences

Previous studies have shown that the relationship between sexual permissiveness and self-esteem fluctuates with the social climate. The present study found that high self-esteem males and females had a significantly greater number of sexual partners than low self-esteem subjects. The relationship is particularly strong for males. The greatest difference in self-esteem levels was found between male virgins and nonvirgins. Self-esteem levels did not differ between female virgins and nonvirgins. Sensation seeking, marital status, and age were also found to be significantly related to number of coital partners.

Teaching Understanding and Interpretation of Logit Regression.

The teaching of logit regression analysis is much neglected in statistics courses within sociology. This is unfortunate since it is well-suited to so many data analysis situations within the discipline. We often run into cases in the real world when the dependent variable is dichotomous. Researchers often deal with such situations by using discriminant analysis, weighted least squares regression, or ordinary least squares regression. These methods can lead to misinterpretations of the results. Logit regression allows the researcher to evaluate the impact of a set of predictor variables on a dichotomous dependent variable without these problems. It is a relatively simple technique to understand for those who already have a grasp on the logic of OLS regression. This paper presents the technique in simple form using both SPSSX and SAS computer output. We contend that the results obtained from logit can be presented to the lay person in a way that is more intuitively understandable than is any other method of presenting data.

Religion and Hypertension: Testing Alternative Explanations Among Immigrants

A number of researchers have found that religious commitment has a salutary effect on blood pressure levels. Levin and Vanderpools review of several of these studies led them to offer some methodological, epistemological, and conceptual criticisms of this body of literature, and they advanced various hypotheses offering possible alternative explanations for the putative salutary effect of religion on blood pressure. In this article, the effect of religious commitment on hypertension among a sample of immigrants is examined with these hypotheses and criticisms in mind. Even when the majority of Levin and Vanderpools criticisms are addressed, the religion effect remains.

A gene-based evolutionary explanation for the association between criminal involvement and number of sex partners.

Abstract Empirical research has revealed a positive relationship between number of sex partners and involvement in antisocial behaviors. Most attempts to explain this association have taken an evolutionary perspective and argued that the same traits (e.g., impulsiveness, shortsightedness, and aggressiveness) that are related to a large number of sex partners are also related to criminal involvement However, there is also reason to believe that the covariation between sex partners and crime behaviors can be partially explained by a common genetic pathway, where genes that are related to sex partners are also related to antisocial conduct. We test this possibility by using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Specifically, we examine whether variants of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) are associated with number of sexual partners and with adult criminal behavior. The results of our analyses reveal two broad findings. First, and in line with prior research, we find that there is a strong positive association between sex partners and antisocial behavior. Second, DAT1 explains variation in both number of sexual partners and in criminal conduct for males. We speak to the implications of our findings.

Love styles, masculinity/femininity, physical attractiveness, and sexual behavior: A test of evolutionary theory

Abstract This study explores sexual behavior, in the form of number of sexual partners, from an evolutionary perspective. Evolved phylogenetic traits result in males being more sexually promiscuous than females. However, males and females do not pursue their reproductive strategies unalloyed by more proximate factors that constrain or enhance the success of this pursuit. Males and females must compromise with the strategy of the opposite sex, and the extent of this compromise is hypothesized to depend on various attitudinal factors and on physical attractiveness. Males were found to be significantly more promiscuous than females, but factors that militated against sexual activity—feminity and a pragmatic love style—accounted for more variance in the dependent variable than factors that moved them toward it—masculinity and physical appearance. The strongest variable effecting female sexual behavior was self-assessment of physical appearance—the more negative the assessment the greater the number of sexual partners. This finding illustrates the compromise factor in sexual behavior.

Is Criminology Moving Toward a Paradigm Shift? Evidence from a Survey of the American Society of Criminology

Ideology impacts a number of values, beliefs, and norms across an array of domains. Relatively little research has been done in criminology exploring the relationship between ideology and theoretical orientation. This study represents not only a follow‐up of previous research exploring this relationship, but also introduces new variables exploring the extent to which biological correlates of crime are becoming more accepted in the academy. Results are gleaned from a survey given to members of the American Society of Criminology as of December 2007.

Love, Self-Esteem, and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive chronic disease which generally appears in early adulthood. The debilitating symptoms of MS can have adverse effects on the sufferers self-esteem, a vital coping resource for sufferers of chronic diseases. This study explores the effects of positive affect and social isolation--conceived broadly together as love--on self-esteem. We found that love was the most powerful predictor of self-esteem, followed by attitude stage, number of years since diagnosis, social class, and physical restriction.

Placebo Justice: Victim Recommendations and Offender Sentences in Sexual Assault Cases

After many years of neglect, crime victims have recently been rediscovered, and concern for them has become an important item on the agenda of the criminal justice system.1 Feminist activists have exerted particular pressure on the criminal justice system to reform its attitudes and practices relating to the concerns of sexual assault victims.2 One might reasonably expect that this upsurge of concern will result in sexual assault victims exerting greater influence on decision-making at all stages of the processing of offenders.