Personality and behavioral genetics: Where have we been and where are we going?

Abstract

Behavioral genetic research consistently indicates that individual differences in personality are genetically influenced. However, behavioral genetics has much more to offer to the study of personality than heritability estimates. The present paper describes some recent findings from behavioral genetics research in personality that go well beyond the rudimentary nature - nurture question. These findings include the importance of nonshared environmental influences on personality, genetic continuity and environmental change during development, personality as a mediator of genetic influence on environmental measures, links between personality and psychopathology, and harnessing the power of molecular genetics to identify specific genes responsible for genetic influence on personality. © 1996 Academic Press, Inc.