A Behavioral Genetic Analysis of Adolescent Sensation Seeking and Resistance to Peer
Influence
by Maggie Morris
Faculty Advisor: Paige Harden
High levels of sensation seeking and low resistance to peer influence are two important predictors of potentially harmful behaviors such as sexual risk taking, substance abuse, and delinquency. During middle adolescence that sensation seeking tends to peak, while resistance to peer influence dips to its lowest point across the lifespan. According to previous twin models, both high sensation seeking and low resistance to peer influence share overlapping genetic influences with risky behavioral outcomes. Sensation seeking has been found to have a moderating effect on the relationship among resistance to peer influence, substance abuse, and delinquency. However, the co-occurrence of high sensation seeking and low resistance to peer influence, and the genetic and environmental factors that drive them have not been determined. The aim of this study is to evaluate the genetic and environmental contributions underlying these traits and their co-occurrence in a nationally representative sample of adolescent twins.