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Gene–Environment Interplay Between Number of Friends and Prosocial Leadership Behavior in Children
- Merrill-Palmer Quarterly
- Wayne State University Press
- Volume 60, Number 2, April 2014
- pp. 110-141
- 10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.60.2.0110
- Article
- Additional Information
Enriched environments may moderate the effect of genetic factors on prosocial leadership (gene–environment interaction, G × E). However, positive environmental experiences may also themselves be influenced by a genetic disposition for prosocial leadership (gene–environment correlation, rGE). Relating these processes to friendships, the present study examined (a) whether children with a genetic disposition for prosocial leadership possess a greater number of reciprocal friends (rGE) and (b) whether the number of reciprocal friends interacts with the effect of genetic factors on children’s prosocial leadership (G × E). The sample comprised 275 twin pairs assessed in Grade 1 (mean age 84.7 months). Reciprocal friendship and prosocial leadership behavior were measured via peer nominations. Consistent with rGE, a genetic disposition for prosocial leadership was related to an increased likelihood of friendship. Moreover, consistent with a compensation process, environmental influences played a stronger role than genetic influences in prosocial leadership when children had many friends.