Victimization and the Effects of Cognitive Function: A Discordant MZ-Twin Approach

• In Event: Sociogenomics: The Next Step in Biopsychosocial Research

Abstract

Victimization has been the focus of research across a diverse range of disciplines. Largely guided by routine activities theory, this effort has primarily focused on studying the situational antecedents to crime opportunities and victimization. However, much of this research has tended to overlook individual differences that might increase the risk of victimization. To bridge this gap in the literature, we examine different types of cognitive function as factors that might predispose individuals to victimization risk by early adulthood. Using data from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twins Study (E-Risk), a probability sample of twins born in the UK in 1994-95, we employ a discordant twin design to examine the relationship between cognitive function and victimization while controlling for possible genetic confounding. The findings and their implications for future research and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Peter Tanksley, University of Cincinnati

• Ryan Motz, University of Cincinnati

• Hexuan Liu, University of Cincinnati

• J.C. Barnes, University of Cincinnati

• Brian Boutwell, Saint Louis University

• Terrie Moffitt, Duke University

• Avshalom Caspi, Duke University / King's College London