10-31-2010, 07:47 PM
Full paper: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/dis...ext?type=6&fid=7909321&jid=JOP&volumeId=72&issueId=04&aid=7909320&bodyId=&membershipNumber=&societyETOCSession=&fulltextType=RA&fileId=S0022381610000617
Found here: http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010...source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
"a really fascinating study that's getting buried with headlines about a "liberal gene." The authors are actually working with the hypothesis that an exposure to diverse views during adolescence helps promote a liberal outlook, but that genetic factors influence this process. And that's precisely what they found. Using a population of over 2,500, they checked the genotype of a dopamine receptor gene.
Among those that carry a form of the gene that's associated with novelty seeking behavior, having a large number of friends in adolescence ended up being associated with adopting a liberal outlook. A lower number of friends, and there was no connection; same thing if this specific variant is missing (so, in some ways, there are a bunch of conservative alleles, too). It's a great example of how genetic and environmental influences can combine to create a complex behavior."
Found here: http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2010...source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
"a really fascinating study that's getting buried with headlines about a "liberal gene." The authors are actually working with the hypothesis that an exposure to diverse views during adolescence helps promote a liberal outlook, but that genetic factors influence this process. And that's precisely what they found. Using a population of over 2,500, they checked the genotype of a dopamine receptor gene.
Among those that carry a form of the gene that's associated with novelty seeking behavior, having a large number of friends in adolescence ended up being associated with adopting a liberal outlook. A lower number of friends, and there was no connection; same thing if this specific variant is missing (so, in some ways, there are a bunch of conservative alleles, too). It's a great example of how genetic and environmental influences can combine to create a complex behavior."
