Evidence of a gene × environment interaction between perceived prejudice and MAOA genotype in the prediction of criminal arrests

PurposeThe current study builds on a large body of research that has revealed that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of antisocial behaviors. While a number of studies have indicated that stressful environments interact with specific genetic polymorphisms to create antisocial phenotypes, studies have not yet examined whether perceived prejudice and specific genetic polymorphisms combine together to predict criminal arrests over the life course.MethodsThe current study builds on the existing gene × environment literature by using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine the effects of MAOA and perceived prejudice on the probability of being arrested.ResultsThe results of the multivariate models reveal a statistically significant gene × environment interaction between MAOA and perceived prejudice in the prediction of arrest for males.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the presence of both perceived prejudice and MAOA increase the likelihood of being arrested. The implications of these results are discussed and limitations are noted.

► Recent studies have shown that stressful environments interact with genetic polymorphisms to predict antisocial outcomes. ► MAOA genotype and perceived prejudice are not related to the probability of arrest when examined independently. ► MAOA genotype and perceived prejudice do, however, interact to predict the probability of being arrested for males. ► These findings are consistent with the differential-susceptibility hypothesis.