Publications [#257557] of John Wilson

Papers Published

1. Son, J; Wilson, J, Genetic variation in volunteerism, Sociological Quarterly, vol. 51 no. 1 (December, 2010), pp. 46-64, Informa UK Limited, ISSN 0038-0253 [Gateway.cgi], [doi]
   (last updated on 2025/06/15)

   Abstract:
   Research has shown that prosocial behaviors of various kinds are passed from generation to generation, but the role played by genetics in the transmission of volunteerism has been unexplored. Data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Twins and Siblings samples are used to estimate genetic heritability of hours volunteered per month. Although unique environmental factors of the kind sociologists have traditionally focused upon account for most of the variance, women do owe some of their disposition to perform volunteer work to their genes. There is no genetic effect for men. © 2010 Midwest Sociological Society.