In a recent study reported in Psychological Science, “Predicting
Sensation Seeking From Dopamine Genes: A CandidateSystem
Approach,” Derringer et al. (2010) attempted to use a
relatively new technique called genetic prediction to demonstrate
that dopaminergic genes influence the personality trait
of sensation seeking. In this Commentary, we outline the rationale
for genetic prediction and how it can be correctly implemented.
We then explain why we believe that Derringer et al.
used genetic prediction incorrectly, thus invalidating their
conclusions