Genetic and Environmental Transmission of Political Orientations. Issue 6 (17th October 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Funk, Carolyn L.; Smith, Kevin B.; Alford, John R.; Hibbing, Matthew V.; Eaton, Nicholas R.; Krueger, Robert F.; Eaves, Lindon J.; Hibbing, John R.
• Is Part Of: Political psychology. Volume 34:Issue 6(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 805
• Page End: 819
• Publication Date: 2012-10-17
• Subjects: Political psychology -- Periodicals; Political sociology -- Periodicals; 320.019
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9221.2012.00915.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0162-895X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This article reports results from the first twin study of adults in the United States that focuses exclusively and comprehensively on political traits. These data allow us to test whether a common set of genetic and environmental influences act upon a broad variety of values, personality traits, and political attitudes. In short, it allows us to empirically investigate whether there are a core set of predispositions that form the basis of our political orientations and, if so, whether these predispositions are shaped by the same environmental and innate forces. The key finding from our analysis is that there are core political predispositions that are rooted in common genetic and environmental influences and that these predispositions are empirically distinct from broader personality traits.</p> </abstract>