Genome-Wide Contributions to Judgement Under Uncertainty

• In Event: Sociogenomics: Integrating Whole-Genome Technology with Criminological Theory

Abstract

Research has found that the genetic propensity for educational attainment acts as an omnibus measure that captures an individual’s prosocial potential. The most recent polygenic score for educational attainment (EA3) positively predicts a large suite of behaviors, including intergenerational mobility, high earnings, and maternal investment in children’s educational attainment—as well as negatively predicting a pattern of life-course persistent offending. However, little is known about the intervening mechanisms through which EA3 operates to influence these social and behavioral outcomes. This study will examine if and to what degree EA3 works through a phenotype that is known to be associated with many such life outcomes: risk preferences. Using data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, this study explores the genetic underpinnings of multiple types of risk preferences (i.e., risk aversion, loss aversion, and time discounting) and tests the mediating effects of risk preferences on the genetic association of EA3 with criminal and other analogous behaviors.

Authors

• Peter T. Tanksley, University of Cincinnati

• J.C. Barnes, University of Cincinnati

• Hexuan Liu, University of Cincinnati