title: An Evolutionary Perspective on Family Studies: Differential Susceptibility to Environmental Influences.
abstract: An evolutionary perspective of human development provides the basis for the differential-susceptibility hypothesis which stipulates that individuals should differ in their susceptibility to environmental influences, with some being more affected than others by both positive and negative developmental experiences and environmental exposures. This paper reviews evidence consistent with this claim while revealing that temperamental and genetic characteristics play a role in distinguishing more and less susceptible individuals. The differential-susceptibility framework under consideration is contrasted to the traditional diathesis-stress view that "vulnerability" traits predispose some to being disproportionately affected by (only) adverse experiences. We raise several issues stimulated by the literature that need to be clarified in further research. Lastly, we suggest that therapy may differ in its effects depending on an individual's susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belsky
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: C493599:DRD4 protein, human; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4
keywords: Diathesis stress; Differential susceptibility; Gene-environment interaction; diátesis-estrés; interacción de los genes con el medio ambiente; susceptibilidad diferencial; 基因-环境互动; 差异易感性; 综合素质压力