@article{ref1,
title="Looking for reward in all the wrong places: dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms indirectly affect aggression through sensation-seeking",
journal="Social neuroscience",
year="2015",
author="Chester, David S. and Nathan DeWall, C. and Derefinko, Karen J. and Estus, Steven and Lynam, Donald R. and Peters, Jessica R. and Jiang, Yang",
volume="11",
number="5",
pages="487-494",
abstract="Individuals with genotypes that code for reduced dopaminergic brain activity often exhibit a predisposition towards aggression. However, it remains largely unknown how dopaminergic genotypes may increase aggression. Lower-functioning dopamine systems motivate individuals to seek reward from external sources such as illicit drugs and other risky experiences. Based on emerging evidence that aggression is a rewarding experience, we predicted that the effect of lower-functioning dopaminergic functioning on aggression would be mediated by tendencies to seek the environment for rewards. Caucasian female and male undergraduates (N = 277) were genotyped for five polymorphisms of the Dopamine D2 Receptor (DRD2) gene, reported their previous history of aggression, and their dispositional reward-seeking. Lower-functioning DRD2 profiles were associated with greater sensation-seeking, which then predicted greater aggression. Our findings suggest that lower-functioning dopaminergic activity puts individuals at risk for violence because it motivates them to experience aggression's hedonically rewarding qualities.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1747-0919",
doi="10.1080/17470919.2015.1119191",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2015.1119191"
}