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PERSONALITY DISORDERS
BIOLOGICAL FACTORS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
PERSONALITY DISORDERS (NATURE) RESOURCES
Simone Hoermann, Ph.D., Corinne E. Zupanick, Psy.D. & Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.
Basic Information
Researchers scienti ically investigate the effect of genetic in luence through the use of family and twin studies. What is a Personality Disorder?
These studies, coupled with the recently developed technologies of neuroscience, have led to the fairly solid Diagnosis of Personality Disorders
conclusion that many personality traits (i.e., dispositions to behave in particular ways across situations and
Causes of Personality Disorders
time) are inherited and biologically determined (Cloninger, 2005).
What Causes Personality Disorders?
Coccaro and Siever (2005) reviewed many neurobiological Biological Factors Related to the Development
of Personality Disorders (Nature)
research studies and reported their summary conclusions about
Early life Experiences and the Development of
the neurobiological factors associated with personality disorder. Personality Disorders (Nurture):
Here we will touch upon some of their most intriguing The Bio-Psycho-Social Model of Human
conclusions: Behavior
Object Relations Theory of Personality
Quite a large number of studies have looked at the genetic factors Disorders
associated with Schizotypal Personality Disorder. From theses Object Relations Theory Continued
studies we have learned that Schizotypal Personality Disorder Attachment Theory of Personality Disorder
tends to be more frequent in families where at least one family Attachment Theory Expanded: Mentalization
Cognitive-Behavioral Theory of Personality
member has been previously diagnosed with Schizophrenia Disorders
(Coccaro & Siever, 2005). As well, these studies have documented Cognitive-Behavioral Theory Expanded: The
similar, distinctive, behavioral patterns (such as peculiarities in Dialectical Behavioral Approach
startle or eye movement response) in family members of both Cognitive-Behavioral Theory Expanded:
Schema Theory
disorders. This inding suggests these behaviors share a common
Other Explanations of Personality Disorders:
genetic origin (Coccaro & Siever, 2005). Other family studies have Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB)
revealed impulsive aggression tends to run in families of people Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB)
diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, again suggesting Continued
a genetic origin for this behavioral tendency (Coccaro & Siever, Biological Explanations of Personality
Disorder
2005).
Biological Explanations Continued
While family studies may suggest the genetic transmission of particular behavioral tendencies, these research Treatment of Personality Disorders
studies cannot be easily designed to rule out the possibility that such tendencies are transmitted through Personality Disorders Summary
learning mechanisms. In other words, children may learn to be aggressive simply by observing other family and Conclusion
members behaving that way. Thus, it is important to look to alternative research methods in order to tease
Personality Disorders References
apart genetic in luence, from environmental in luence.
and Resources
Fortunately, neurological studies of brain chemistry and brain anatomy in individuals with personality More Information
disorders provide us with corroborating evidence for the important role of genetics in the formation and Latest News
maintenance of certain behavioral tendencies. Consistent with the indings of family studies, neurological
Questions and Answers
studies have indeed identi ied brain abnormalities in people with Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Coccaro &
Siever, 2005). These abnormalities are located in an area of the brain called the temporal cortex. These Links
abnormalities are very similar to those observed in the brains of people diagnosed with Schizophrenia. It is
suspected that the superior functioning of other brain regions protects people with Schizotypal Personality RELATED TOPICS
Disorder from developing the more debilitating psychotic features (hallucinations and delusions) associated
with Schizophrenia. Mental Disorders
Neurological studies have also provided corroborating evidence for the role of genetics with regard to impulsive Mental Well-Being
aggression. Coccaro & Siever (2005) reported that researchers have identi ied a relationship between impulsive Psychological Disorders
aggression and a complex, neuro-chemical system called the serotonergic system. This inding suggests there is Addiction
biological, neurological etiology for the symptom of impulsive aggression that is characteristic of Cluster B Assessments & Interventions
personality disorders (Antisocial, Histrionic, Narcissistic, and Borderline Personality Disorders). Furthermore, Parenting & Child Care
this inding has led to some promising pharmacological interventions. Aging & Elder Care

Neurological research studies have also documented that people with Cluster B personality disorders
demonstrate problematic functioning of their prefrontal cortices (Coccaro & Siever, 2005). Damage to this vital brain region can limit people's ability to exercise
good judgment and to think their way out of negative moods. Given this data, it seems an unlikely coincidence that people with Cluster B personality disorders often
report dif iculty tempering their powerful emotions with rational thought, thereby making it more dif icult for them to make the wisest choices.

From such studies, it becomes fairly clear that people with personality disorders do not just act badly on a whim. Abnormal brain functioning and genetic loading
make it more dif icult for them to act in a different, more functional manner (relative to their more healthy peers). These studies do not de initively establish that

https://www.gulfbend.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=41557&cn=8 1/2
3/14/2019 Gulf Bend MHMR Center
brain impairments "cause" personality disorders, or even that they exist due to genetic "design" (versus environmental acquisition) but they do trend in that
direction. Either way, these indings are compelling.

The in luence of biology on behavior is also revealed in the phenomena of temperament, or inborn personality disposition. As any parent will attest, children are
born already possessing primitive personality tendencies. Some children are born with milder, calmer dispositions while others are more anxious and irritable.
These inborn personality tendencies (temperaments) are assumed to be largely in luenced by genetic factors in a manner analogous to how hair and eye coloration
are genetically determined. More speci ic information about biological in luences is discussed in the section on the neuro-behavioral explanations of personality
disorders.

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WHAT CAUSES PERSONALITY DISORDERS? EARLY LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALITY DISORDERS
(NURTURE):

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