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48. Rende, R.D., & Plomin, R. (1994). Genetic influences on behavioural development. In M. Rutter and D.F. Hay (Eds.) Development Through Life: A Handbook for Clinicians (pp 26-48). London: Blackwell Scientific Publications.The goal of this chapter is to provide a selective overview of some important
topics for behavioral genetic approaches to development and psychopathology.
Although there is accumulating evidence that diverse domains of psychopathology
are influenced to some degree by genetics, many areas have only been the
target of family studies or not studied at all in terms of genetics. Only
for a few disorders have we sufficient information to gauge the strength
of the genetic effect. A hope for the future is that the ever-growing
array of molecular genetic techniques will help to pinpoint not only the
molecular basis for genetic influence on psychopathology, but also the
biological pathways involved in maladaptive development. Just as important
is the need to refine further our study of the environmental processes
involved in the development of psychopathology. |