A MULTIVARIATE GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF SENSATION SEEKING

The genetic architecture of sensation seeking was analyzed in 1591 ado lescent twin pairs. Individual differences in sensation seeking were b est explained by a simple additive genetic model. Between 48 and 63% o f the total variance in sensation seeking subscales was attributable t o genetic factors. There were no sex differences in the magnitude of t he genetic and environmental effects. The different dimensions of sens ation seeking were moderately correlated. The strongest correlations w ere between the subscales Thrill and Adventure Seeking and Experience Seeking (r = 0.4) and between Boredom Susceptibility and Disinhibition (r = 0.4 in males, r = 0.5 in females). A triangular decomposition sh owed that the correlations between the sensation seeking subscales wer e induced mainly by correlated genetic factors and, to a smaller exten t, by correlated unique environmental factors. The genetic and environ mental correlation structures differed between males and females. For females, higher genetic correlations for Experience Seeking with Bored om Susceptibility and Disinhibition and higher correlations among the unique environmental factors were found. There was no evidence that se x-specific genes influenced sensation seeking behavior in males and fe males.