1 hr ago
Study Links 1,200 Gene Variants to Big Five Personality Traits
Scientists studied how genes may help influence personality.
They looked at five broad traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism.
The researchers combined information from 46 groups of people around the world.
They found more than 1,200 gene variants connected with these traits.
Each gene variant usually had only a tiny effect.
Together, many variants could have a larger influence.
The study also linked personality-related genetics with health, education and work outcomes.
However, genes are not the whole story because people’s environments also matter.
For example, living in a cosmopolitan neighborhood may help strengthen openness to new experiences.
Researchers identified more than 1,200 gene variants associated with the Big Five personality traits.
The study combined findings from 46 cohorts worldwide and was published in Nature.
Genetic variants linked to personality were also associated with health, education, careers and other life outcomes.
Individual variants had small effects, but their combined influence on personality could be substantial.
Researchers emphasized that environmental factors, including where people live, also shape personality.
- Who
- An international team from the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, led by Ted Schwaba, studied personality genetics.
- What
- The researchers analyzed genetic links to the Big Five personality traits and their associations with life outcomes.
- Where
- The study combined data from 46 cohorts around the world, including examples involving the Netherlands and the United States.
- When
- The article does not provide a publication date; it says the findings were published in Nature.
- Why
- The researchers aimed to understand how genetic variation relates to personality and consequential behaviors and life outcomes.
Key facts
- Traits studied
- Openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism
- Genetic associations
- More than 1,200 gene variants were linked to the Big Five traits
- Research scale
- Results combined 46 distinct cohorts worldwide
- Individual effects
- The effects of single genetic variants were very small
- Associated outcomes
- Health, education, longevity, career paths, health behaviors and social perceptions
- Environmental role
- Environment remained an important influence on personality
- Publication
- Findings were published in the journal Nature
Quotes
Ted Schwaba
Lead author and faculty member in Michigan State University's Department of Psychology
“There is no single 'personality gene'. Personality traits are associated with many genetic variants, but even the largest effects of individual genetic variants are still very small. However, even though any individual genetic variant makes very little difference in personality, the effects of many variants together can be more sizeable.”
rediff.com
“Personality seems to be relevant nearly everywhere you look. We hope this study will encourage many other scientists to incorporate personality traits into their fields of study.”
rediff.com
Sources
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