The Porteus Maze Test (PMT) provides measures of planning and behavioral disinhibition. The PMT was administered to 941 twins during Wave 1 (9-10 years) and 320 twins during Wave 2 (11-13 years). Participants were drawn from the University of Southern California Risk Factors for Antisocial Behavior Study (RFAB). Heritability of behavioral disinhibition, determined by PMT Q-Score, were 33% at Wave 1 and 52% at Wave 2. For planning, determined by Test Age, heritability was 53% at Wave 1; at Wave 2, the non-shared environment was important in boys, whereas genetic influences were important in girls. Both indices were modestly stable (r = 0.52; r = 0.37). A common genetic factor influenced both indices, respectively, at the two time points, with no 'new' genetic variance at Wave 2; the non-shared environment was time-specific. Thus, both genetic and non-shared environmental influences are important for behavioral disinhibition (Q-Score) and planning (Test Age).
Keywords: Behavioral disinhibition; Executive functions; Heritability; Planning; Porteus Maze Test; Stability.