S. Alexandra Burt

Last updated
S. Alexandra Burt
Born
Sybil Alexandra Burt
Education Emory University
University of Minnesota
Known for Twin studies
Scientific career
Fields Behavior genetics
Institutions Michigan State University
Thesis The nature of the association between parent-child conflict and childhood externalizing pathology (2004)
Doctoral advisors Matthew McGue
William Iacono

Sybil Alexandra Burt is an American psychologist and behavior geneticist. She is professor of psychology at Michigan State University and the co-director of its Michigan State University Twin Registry. She is known for researching the role of genetic factors in parenting [1] [2] and popularity. [3] She has also researched the link between antisocial behavior and marriage, finding that the relationship appears to be bidirectional: in her research, men with fewer antisocial behaviors were more likely to get married, and once they did so, their rates of antisocial behavior decreased even more. [4] [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual orientation</span> Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender. These attractions are generally subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, while asexuality is sometimes identified as the fourth category.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a mental disorder diagnosed in childhood or adolescence that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that includes theft, lies, physical violence that may lead to destruction, and reckless breaking of rules, in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated. These behaviors are often referred to as "antisocial behaviors." It is often seen as the precursor to antisocial personality disorder, which by definition cannot be diagnosed until the individual is 18 years old. Conduct disorder may result from parental rejection and neglect and can be treated with family therapy, as well as behavioral modifications and pharmacotherapy. Conduct disorder is estimated to affect 51.1 million people globally as of 2013.

Antisocial personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by a long-term pattern of disregard of, or violation of, the rights of others as well as a difficulty sustaining long-term relationships. Lack of empathy and a contemptuous attitude are often apparent, as well as a history of rule-breaking that can sometimes include law-breaking, a tendency towards chronic boredom and substance abuse, and impulsive and aggressive behavior. Antisocial behaviors often have their onset before the age of 8, and in nearly 80% of ASPD cases, the subject will develop their first symptoms by age 11. The prevalence of ASPD peaks in people age 24 to 44 years old, and often decreases in people age 45 to 64 years. In the United States, the rate of antisocial personality disorder in the general population is estimated between 0.5 and 3.5 percent. In a study, a random sampling of 320 newly incarcerated offenders found ASPD was present in over 35 percent of those surveyed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premarital sex</span> Sexual activity before marriage

Premarital sex is sexual activity which is practiced by people before they are married. Premarital sex is considered a sin by a number of religions and also considered a moral issue which is taboo in many cultures. Since the Sexual Revolution of the 1960s, it has become accepted by certain liberal movements, especially in Western countries. A 2014 Pew study on global morality found that premarital sex was considered particularly unacceptable in "Muslim Majority Countries", such as Malaysia, Jordan, Pakistan, and Egypt, each having over 90% disapproval, while people in Western European countries were the most accepting, with Spain, Germany, and France expressing less than 10% disapproval.

Anti-social behavior is a behavior that is defined as the violation of the rights of others by committing crime, such as stealing and physical attack in addition to other behaviors such as lying and manipulation. It is considered to be disruptive to others in society. This can be carried out in various ways, which includes, but is not limited to, intentional aggression, as well as covert and overt hostility. Anti-social behaviour also develops through social interaction within the family and community. It continuously affects a child's temperament, cognitive ability and their involvement with negative peers, dramatically affecting children's cooperative problem-solving skills. Many people also label behaviour which is deemed contrary to prevailing norms for social conduct as anti-social behaviour. However, researchers have stated that it is a difficult term to define, particularly in the United Kingdom where many acts fall into its category. The term is especially used in British English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadistic personality disorder</span> Former personality disorder involving sadism

Sadistic personality disorder was a personality disorder defined by a pervasive pattern of sadistic and cruel behavior. People with this disorder were thought to have desired to control others. It was believed they accomplish this through the use of physical or emotional violence. This diagnosis appeared in an appendix of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). The later versions of the DSM do not include it. It was removed as psychiatrists believed it would be used to legally excuse sadistic behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoamine oxidase A</span> Endogenous enzyme

Monoamine oxidase A, also known as MAO-A, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAOA gene. This gene is one of two neighboring gene family members that encode mitochondrial enzymes which catalyze the oxidative deamination of amines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. A mutation of this gene results in Brunner syndrome. This gene has also been associated with a variety of other psychiatric disorders, including antisocial behavior. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT parenting</span> LGBT people raising one or more children

LGBT parenting refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people raising one or more children as parents or foster care parents. This includes: children raised by same-sex couples, children raised by single LGBT parents, and children raised by an opposite-sex couple where at least one partner is LGBT.

Psychopathy, sometimes considered synonymous with sociopathy, is characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. Different conceptions of psychopathy have been used throughout history that are only partly overlapping and may sometimes be contradictory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same-sex relationship</span> Romantic or sexual relationship between people of the same sex

A same-sex relationship is a romantic or sexual relationship between people of the same sex. Same-sex marriage refers to the institutionalized recognition of such relationships in the form of a marriage; civil unions may exist in countries where same-sex marriage does not.

Monogamy is a form of dyadic relationship in which an individual has only one partner during their lifetime. Alternately, only one partner at any one time — as compared to the various forms of non-monogamy.

The Michigan State University Twin Registry is a registry of twins produced by researchers at Michigan State University. The MSUTR has a lifespan perspective focused on understanding risk factors for internalizing and externalizing disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biosocial criminology</span> Psychosocial examination of crime

Biosocial criminology is an interdisciplinary field that aims to explain crime and antisocial behavior by exploring biocultural factors. While contemporary criminology has been dominated by sociological theories, biosocial criminology also recognizes the potential contributions of fields such as behavioral genetics, neuropsychology, and evolutionary psychology.

Terrie Edith Moffitt is an American clinical psychologist who is best known for her pioneering research on the development of antisocial behavior and for her collaboration with colleague and partner Avshalom Caspi in research on gene-environment interactions in mental disorders.

Kevin Michael Beaver is an American criminologist and the Judith Rich Harris Professor of Criminology at Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, where he is also the director of the Distance Learning Program.

Jenae M. Neiderhiser is an American behavior geneticist who is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University, where she is also co-director of the Gene Environment Research Initiative.

Deborah M. Capaldi is a developmental psychologist known for her research on at-risk male youth and the intergenerational transmission of substance use, antisocial behavior, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. She is a senior scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center. Her current projects focus on child exposure to family violence and parenting practices of at-risk parents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Leve</span> American psychologist

Leslie D. Leve is an American academic and researcher. She is a professor in the Counseling Psychology and Human Services Department as well as the associate director of Prevention Science Institute at the University of Oregon. She also holds the positions of Associate Director for the Prevention Science graduate programs, was President of the Society for Prevention Research from 2017 to 2019, and is Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and serves on National Institutes of Health study section panels and on the editorial board for Development and Psychopathology.

Leann L. Birch was an American developmental psychologist, best known for her research on children's eating behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Waite</span> American sociologist

Linda J. Waite is a sociologist and social demographer. She is the George Herbert Mead Distinguished Service Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. In 2018, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

References

  1. "Do all daughters turn into their mothers?". The Telegraph. 2016-06-01. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  2. Conniff, Kelly (2014-03-22). "How Your Genes Help You Become A Good Parent". Time. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  3. "Popularity Gene Found?". WebMD. 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  4. "Married men are nicer, better behaved: study". Reuters. 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  5. Paul, Pamela (2011-01-16). "Nice Men Marry or Marriage Makes Men Nice?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-06-25.