Genetics and behavior: How your genes can influence your personality

Do genes influence our behavior?

The innate part has an important impact on human beings, yes, but there is also socialization and education. This implies that Genes do influence our behavior , but certain behaviors can be tempered or corrected. The first studies date back to the 1960s, but in many cases, the hypotheses have now been confirmed.

It is important to differentiate between behavioral issues and those that become diagnosable mental disorders. In this case, the The relationship between genetics and certain disorders , such as schizophrenia, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, is also evident. However, we cannot rule out environmental factors, which often act in conjunction.

Anyway, yes there is evidence which can be used to see whether or not one has a genetic predisposition to certain situations, even children . And it's useful because it allows us to make decisions and direct our behavior in a more positive way.

Let's see how genetics and behavior can be linked in our daily lives. We encourage you to keep reading...

Genetics and behavior: possible relationships

There are some practical examples of how our genes and inheritance influence how we behave. And this affects different areas of our lives. Here are some:

1. Perception capacity

Genetics clearly influences the way we perceive stimuli. In this sense, there are different ways of receive this information and of process it . And these differences, in themselves, also give rise to different behaviors according to the individual. Here there are several genes that can vary in this: it is estimated that the self-perception or not of the happiness It depends, in a 50% , of genetic inheritance .

There may be alterations in the senses, such as color blindness, for example. But, equally, there may also be alterations in how we interpret reality, with the same knowledge as a human being. Therefore, it is important to keep this factor in mind first, because it will influence numerous attitudes.

2. Predisposition to addictions

The latest studies indicate that genetics may play an important role in many Addictions . We're talking about smoking, alcoholism, gambling addiction, and others. It's estimated that genetic factors play a role, approximately, between 40 and 60% of the occasions. Therefore, it should be taken into account in prevention and subsequent treatment.

In these cases, genetic alterations in genes through epigenetics come into play. If a parent has an addiction, the likelihood of suffering from it increases. For this reason, it is crucial to avoid the use of certain substances during pregnancy.

3. Temperament

Responses to external stimuli also have a genetic correlation. As we mentioned before, cultural factors can mitigate some reactions, but there is a predisposition.

How can we know this? For example, we can talk about curiosity, openness to new realities, or neurotic behaviors. While there is still a very broad field of study on this point, the truth is that there is a relationship between common genome and similar behaviors . So far, the scientific consensus indicates that this relationship may be of between 20 and 60% . Precisely for this reason, we must consider it as an option, but in relation to other areas.

It was popularly said, "This person takes after his or her father or mother." Well, popular wisdom does, in certain respects, coincide with reality.

4. Stress response

There are numerous genetic variants, called polygenic, which explain the different reaction to stress that people have. Some will tend to freeze, while others will try to escape, and others will fight back. These behaviors have to do, in part, with the 200 genetic variations that influence, highlighting the variation in the SLC6A4 gene .

And, evidently, this response to stress is correlated with situations of anxiety or of depression . Although environmental factors are of decisive importance, it is unrealistic not to mention the importance of genetic variation here.

5. Relationship with food

Our relationship with food It is determined, in part, also by the Genetics . While it is true that there are foods with acquired tastes and that culture is decisive in this regard, it is also true that genetics influences the feeling of satiety and the need to eat more. This, for example, we find with the FTO gene , related to the sensation of satiety in the brain.

Sometimes, these behaviors are also related to stress or depression. Therefore, although some aspects can be changed, we cannot say that this factor is unrelated. It should also be remembered that certain thyroid gland levels are related.

6. Extroversion or introversion

The extroversion or introversion are forms of behavior that are also influenced by the genetics . Certain alterations can generate more or less serotonin and, therefore, more or less predisposed to interact with others. Currently, they have been located 500 regions in the genome which could be related, in one way or another, to our tendency to be more expansive or withdrawn.

7. Empathy

Finally, the ability to have more or less empathy towards others would also have a genetic derivative. In fact, certain genetic modifications in the OXTR gene They can influence the production of oxytocin and, therefore, have greater or lesser empathy towards our fellow human beings.

Certain disorders, it is suggested, could be related to this circumstance. However, it must be understood in conjunction with other factors. Furthermore, genetic influence is multifactorial, and we are not talking about a single gene alone.

Therefore…

The relationship between genetics and behavior is intertwined in many cases, so it's good to have this information. Want to take a genetic test? At Genotica, you'll find numerous tests divided by type, price, the questions analyzed, and the delivery time. Get to know us . better to find the test you are looking for!