Biosocial Prevention Science

• Date: 01 August 2016
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12220
• Published date: 01 August 2016
• Author: Joseph A. Schwartz

EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION

GENETICALLY INFORMED PREVENTION

SCIENCE

Biosocial Prevention Science

Synthesis of Two Interrelated Perspectives

Joseph A. Schwartz

University of Nebraska—Omaha

Over the past few decades, the biosocial perspective within the behavioral sciences

has grown at an exponential pace. This more direct emphasis on biological and

social sources of influence that shape behavioral phenotypes was in no small part

the result of important developments in both neuroimaging and genetic sequencing, but

also it illustrates the increased interest of behavioral researchers in attempting to make use of

a more comprehensive approach to understanding the complex and multifaceted processes

that underlie behavioral development. Much of this research has focused on the etiological

development of behavioral phenotypes, including the pervasiveness of genetic influences

(Polderman et al., 2015; Turkheimer, 2000); the complex interplay between genetic and

environmental influences (Dick et al., 2015; Duncanand Keller, 2011); and the intermediate

role of various neurological, physiological, and hormonal processes in connecting genetic

influences to behavioral outcomes (Raine, 2008). The field of criminology has also directly

experienced the benefit of biosocial integration with studies demonstrating the collective

and robust influence of both biological and environmental factors on various forms of

criminal and antisocial behavior (Barnes et al., 2014), as well as many of the primary

correlates emphasized in mainstream criminological theory and existing research (Harden

and Tucker-Drob, 2011; Kendler and Baker, 2007).

Although the speed with which such integration has occurred should be applauded,

most of these efforts have been exclusively focused on the etiological development of vari-

ous behavioral phenotypes. Such inquiry directly contributes to theoretical refinement and

development, while further illuminating the complex manner in which biological and envi-

ronmental factors work both independently and interactively to shape behavior. However,

Direct correspondence to Joseph A. Schwartz, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of

Nebraska—Omaha, 310 Nebraska Hall, 901 N. 17th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0561 (e-mail:

jaschwartz@unomaha.edu).

DOI:10.1111/1745-9133.12220 C2016 American Society of Criminology 677

Criminology & Public Policy rVolume 15 rIssue 3