Neuroticism, extraversion, and related traits in adult twins reared apart and reared together

J Pers Soc Psychol. 1988 Dec;55(6):950-7. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.55.6.950.

Abstract

The relative importance of genetic and environmental factors for neuroticism, extraversion, impulsivity, and monotony avoidance were estimated in a sample of 99 monozygotic and 229 dizygotic pairs of twins reared apart (TRA) and a matched sample of 160 monozygotic and 212 dizygotic pairs of twins reared together (TRT). The average age was 58.6 (SD = 13.6); 72% of the twins were 50 or older. Model-fitting analyses verified the importance of genetic factors for all four measures; from 23% to 45% of the total variation was attributable to genetic sources. There was considerable evidence that these factors were operating in a nonadditive manner for extraversion and impulsivity. Shared environment accounted for less than 10% of the variance; some evidence for selective placement was found for neuroticism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Diseases in Twins
  • Environment*
  • Exploratory Behavior / physiology
  • Extraversion, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Genetic*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Neurotic Disorders / genetics*
  • Personality*
  • Twins / psychology*
  • Twins, Dizygotic / psychology
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology