| 1. |
- Garcia, Danilo, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Responsibility and Cooperativeness Are Constrained, Not Determined
- 2014
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurobiological determinism has characterized later decades’ scientific approaches to the notion of free will. Scientists suggest that legal responsibility should be adjusted accordingly. We measured the genetic and environmental effects behind self-reported Self-directedness and Cooperativeness in a nation-wide population-based adolescent twin study. In spite of substantial overall genetic and shared environmental effects on these character scores, individual outcomes in both monozygotic and dizygotic co-twins of probands reporting severe personality problems varied widely into the normal range. Hence, even when constrained by genetic and environmental adversity, self-experienced responsibility and cooperation are not simply genetically determined but, to some extent, malleable.
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| 2. |
- Garcia, Danilo, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Temperament and Character in the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS): Comparison to the General Population, and Genetic Structure Analysis
- 2013
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) is an on-going, large population-based longitudinal twin study. We aimed (1) to investigate the reliability of two different versions (125-items and 238-items) of Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) used in the CATSS and the validity of extracting the short version from the long version, (2) to compare these personality dimensions between twins and adolescents from the general population, and (3) to investigate the genetic structure of Cloninger's model. Method Reliability and correlation analyses were conducted for both TCI versions, 2,714 CATSS-twins were compared to 631 adolescents from the general population, and the genetic structure was investigated through univariate genetic analyses, using a model-fitting approach with structural equation-modeling techniques based on same-sex twin pairs from the CATSS (423 monozygotic and 408 dizygotic pairs). Results The TCI scores from the short and long versions showed comparable reliability coefficients and were strongly correlated. Twins scored about half a standard deviation higher in the character scales. Three of the four temperament dimensions (Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, and Persistence) had strong genetic and non-shared environmental effects, while Reward Dependence and the three character dimensions had moderate genetic effects, and both shared and non-shared environmental effects. Conclusions Twins showed higher scores in character dimensions compared to adolescents from the general population. At least among adolescents there is a shared environmental influence for all of the character dimensions, but only for one of the temperament dimensions (i.e., Reward Dependence). This specific finding regarding the existence of shared environmental factors behind the character dimensions in adolescence, together with earlier findings showing a small shared environmental effects on character among young adults and no shared environmental effects on character among adults, suggest that there is a shift in type of environmental influence from adolescence to adulthood regarding character.
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| 3. |
- Garcia, Danilo, 1973, et al.
(author)
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The Genetic Structure of Cloninger's Psychobiological Model of Personality in Adolescence
- 2012
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In: Biological Psychiatry. - 0006-3223 .- 1873-2402.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cloninger’s psychobiological model is based on differences between procedural versus propositional learning, leading to the distinction between four temperament and three character dimensions. In contrast to Cloninger’s original theory, association studies and quantitative genetic studies have suggested at least equally (if not more) importance of genes and genetic effects behind characterdimensions as compared to temperament dimensions. We aimed to investigate the genetic structure of Cloninger’s model in a large population-based study group of adolescent twins to capture the developing personality. Methods: To understand which factors contributed to the seven TCI dimensions, we conducted univariate genetic analysis, using a model-fitting approach with structural equation-modeling techniques. Subjects: 831 monozygotic (MZ) or same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs aged 15 completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Results: Three of the four temperament dimensions (Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance; Persistence) showed genetic contributions and unique environmental effects, supporting the original theoretical assumption and previous studies. As predicted by theory, all three character dimensions could be referred to genetic, common environmental, and unique environmental factors, with a considerably lower degree of genetic determinance (see Table 1). Conclusions: In contrast to previously published findings, the results presented here support the robustness of the original TCI structure.
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| 4. |
- Garcia, Danilo, 1973, et al.
(author)
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Twins’ and Their Mothers’ Personality: Temperament and Character Clusters
- 2019
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In: 3rd Biennial International Convention of Psychological Science, May 25-28, Boston.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In a sample of twins and their mothers we found, independent of zygosity, two clusters based on differences in the children’s (in)ability to be cooperative and self-directed and her/his level of reward dependence, together with differences in the mother’s levels of cooperativeness, self-directedness, reward dependence, and harm avoidance.
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| 5. |
- Lester, Nigel, et al.
(author)
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The genetic and environmental structure of the character sub-scales of the temperament and character inventory in adolescence.
- 2016
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In: Annals of General Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1744-859X. ; 15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The character higher order scales (self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence) in the temperament and character inventory are important general measures of health and well-being [Mens Sana Monograph 11:16-24 (2013)]. Recent research has found suggestive evidence of common environmental influence on the development of these character traits during adolescence. The present article expands earlier research by focusing on the internal consistency and the etiology of traits measured by the lower order sub-scales of the character traits in adolescence.METHODS: The twin modeling analysis of 423 monozygotic pairs and 408 same sex dizygotic pairs estimated additive genetics (A), common environmental (C), and non-shared environmental (E) influences on twin resemblance. All twins were part of the on-going longitudinal Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS).RESULTS: The twin modeling analysis suggested a common environmental contribution for two out of five self-directedness sub-scales (0.14 and 0.23), for three out of five cooperativeness sub-scales (0.07-0.17), and for all three self-transcendence sub-scales (0.10-0.12).CONCLUSION: The genetic structure at the level of the character lower order sub-scales in adolescents shows that the proportion of the shared environmental component varies in the trait of self-directedness and in the trait of cooperativeness, while it is relatively stable across the components of self-transcendence. The presence of this unique shared environmental effect in adolescence has implications for understanding the relative importance of interventions and treatment strategies aimed at promoting overall maturation of character, mental health, and well-being during this period of the life span.
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| 6. |
- Lundström, Robert, 1973-
(author)
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Comparing Procurement Methods in Road Construction Projects : Influence on Uncertainty, Interaction and Knowledge
- 2013
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The construction sector is often considered to show a number of limitations regarding efficiency and effectiveness, conclusions normally drawn irrespective of project procurement method used, and despite the common assumption that differences among approaches exist regarding these aspects. The study investigates differences and similarities among procurement methods using a longitudinal multi-case study based on two comparatively large infrastructure projects: a traditional so-called design-bid-build project and an unconventional so-called design-build-maintain project. The empirical part of the investigation, which in addition to the two focal projects mentioned also includes a number of prior and subsequent projects, was conducted based on literature studies, interviews and observations. The complex organizational phenomenon associated with each case was studied partly by interpreting each focal project as a small temporary network comprising a client, a contractor and a consultant, and partly any connections from the focal project to other projects of the organizational context. The influence of the procurement method was investigated using a model comprising the three concepts of uncertainty, interaction and knowledge. The empirical findings suggest that significant differences exist between the two approaches investigated regarding all three concepts. In principle, the traditional procurement approach resulted in low degrees of uncertainty, interaction and knowledge, while the unconventional project resulted in higher degrees. Although differences regarding the procurement methods can be observed by directly comparing the two focal projects, the influence of procurement method on uncertainty, interaction and knowledge gained becomes even more interesting if the time-frame is extended beyond the immediate projects studied. In particular, the comparison of the two cases presented indicates differences regarding the establishment of inter-project connections. The theoretical framework utilized in the study contributes to previous research by providing a way to characterize procurement methods, differences among them, and how knowledge is gained in relation to interaction and uncertainty.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Mirzadeh, Iman, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Performance requirements in design-build contracts : development of a risk assessment model
- 2020
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The gradual shift in procurement of road infrastructures from traditional design-bid-build (DBB) to design-build (DB) contracts, have resulted in an ever-increasing need for contractors and consultants to assess and predict the technical performance of selected designs and corresponding risks. Moreover, there is a great interest for the road administration to better motivate the type of contract and the procurement strategy based on risks and outcomes in road projects. This report has focused on developing a model for evaluation of the impact of performance requirements in DB and design-bidmaintain (DBM) projects. The model can analyse the risk of exceeding the maximum requirements during the warranty period. Therefore, it can be applied by contractors for evaluation of the technical risk not only at the bidding stage but also during the warranty period. It can also be used by the road administration as a decision support tool for setting performance requirements at the project level.
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