Genetic variability is being discussed as a source of inter-individual differences in Theory of Mind development. Previous studies documented an association between variations in DRD4 VNTR 48 bp, OXTR rs53576, COMT rs4680, and Theory of Mind task performance. As empirical evidence on these associations is sparse, we conducted a preregistered replication attempt of a study reporting a link between DRD4 VNTR 48 bp and false belief understanding in 50-month-old children [Lackner, C., Sabbagh, M. A., Hallinan, E., Liu, X., & Holden, J. J. (2012). Developmental Science, 15(2), 272–280.]. Additionally, we attempted a replication of studies on the role of OXTR rs53576 and COMT rs4680 in Theory of Mind. In both replication attempts, we did not find any evidence for associations between the sampled genetic markers and Theory of Mind ability in a series of analyses. Extending the replication attempt of Lackner et al., we employed longitudinal data from several tasks and measurement points, which allowed us to run follow-up robustness checks with more reliable scores. These extensive analyses corroborated our null finding. This comprehensive non-replication is important to balance current research on genetic markers of Theory of Mind. In a combined evaluation of our own and previous studies, we point to substantial methodological issues that research on the genetic basis of Theory of Mind development faces. We conclude that these limitations currently prevent firm conclusions on genetic influences on Theory of Mind development.

中文翻译：

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遗传变异与心智发展理论之间没有联系：候选基因研究的预注册复制尝试

遗传变异性正在被讨论为心理理论发展中个体间差异的来源。以前的研究记录了 DRD4 VNTR 48 bp、OXTR rs53576、COMT rs4680 和心理理论任务性能的变化之间的关联。由于关于这些关联的经验证据很少，我们对一项研究进行了预先注册的复制尝试，该研究报告了 DRD4 VNTR 48 bp 与 50 个月大儿童的错误信念理解之间的联系 [Lackner, C., Sabbagh, MA, Hallinan, E ., Liu, X., & Holden, JJ (2012)。发展科学，15(2), 272–280.]。此外，我们尝试复制关于 OXTR rs53576 和 COMT rs4680 在心理理论中的作用的研究。在这两次复制尝试中，我们在一系列分析中没有发现任何证据表明采样的遗传标记与心智理论能力之间存在关联。扩展 Lackner 等人的复制尝试，我们使用了来自多个任务和测量点的纵向数据，这使我们能够以更可靠的分数运行后续稳健性检查。这些广泛的分析证实了我们的无效发现。这种全面的非复制对于平衡当前对心理理论遗传标记的研究很重要。在对我们自己和以前的研究进行综合评估时，我们指出了心理发展理论的遗传基础研究面临的实质性方法论问题。