Ebook: Genes and Abuse as Causes of Offending

Vaske investigates whether genetic polymorphisms moderate the effects of victimization on criminal behavior for males and females. The results show that genetic factors are important for explaining why some victimized individuals engage in criminal behavior and substance use, while other victims do not engage in such behaviors. Further, the findings suggest that these gene X environment interactions vary by gender. The current research contributes to the growing body of biosocial literature which shows that behavior is a product of both genetic and environmental factors.