Why is it essential to research callous-unemotional traits' heritable and environmental origins?

Heritable Vs. Environmental origins?

Extreme callous-unemotional traits strongly correlate with genetic influences, while environmental influences do not significantly affect extreme CU. 

Skidmore College

Individuals with extreme callous-unemotional traits (Psychopathy) start engaging in destructive and manipulative behaviors in childhood and continue to offend across a lifetime. 

Early Indicators of Psychopathy 

Viding, E., Blair, R. J., Moffitt, T. E., & Plomin, R. (2005). Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-olds. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 46(6), 592–597. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00393.x 

Evidence for substantial genetic risk for psychopathy in 7-year-olds

Heritability Vs. Environmental Origins of Psychopathy

Luk, E. S., Staiger, P. K., Wong, L., & Mathai, J. (1999). Children who are cruel to animals: A revisit. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.1999.00528.x 

 Children who are cruel to animals: A revisit

- Fire-setting 
- Cruelty to animals 
- Cruelty toward peers and parents
- Bullying 
- Manipulation 

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