Scientists discover gene that explains why naughty children are popular

Researchers found that people find those who are more likely to break the rules more likeable, even after meeting them for just a short time.

They found that the people who achieve popularity by defying authority all tend to carry a specific "rebel" gene.

The findings could explain how Just William inspired the devotion of his bunch of Outlaws in the famous novels and why children labelled "teachers' pets" have traditionally attracted the attention of bullies.

"The idea is that your genes predispose you to certain behaviours and those behaviours elicit different kinds of social reactions from others," said Alexandra Burt, assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University.

"And so what's happening is, your genes are to some extent driving your social experiences.

"So the gene predisposes (people) to rule-breaking behaviour and their rule-breaking behaviour made them more popular," Burt said.

Rule breakers tended to be on the less serious side of the rebellious scale, according to the research.

Typical behaviour might include heavy drinking, lying, dangerous driving or using drugs.

However, it was not usually associated with more extreme anti-social behaviour, such as violence or intimidation.

Studies estimate that between 40 and 60 per cent of the population carry the variation of the gene linked to rebellious behaviour.

For the study, researchers gathered 100 male college students who had never met before in a laboratory and got them to interact with each other in groups.

All of the students also had their DNA tested using a saliva swab.

Asked to fill in a questionnaire about who they liked the most, those with the "rebel" gene came out top.

A second experiment involving another 100 college students found the same result, according to the study, the findings of which are published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

The gene itself is a particular form of a serotonin gene, a chemical in the brain which has been linked to the control of emotions and mood.

However, the researchers are unsure whether boys react more positively than girls to rebels.

They plan to repeat the experiment with female students to test if they too prefer a maverick.