http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/205988.php
Liberals may owe their political outlook partly to their genetic make-up, according to new research from the University of California, San Diego, and Harvard University. Ideology is affected not just by social factors, but also by a dopamine receptor gene called DRD4. The study's authors say this is the first research to identify a specific gene that predisposes people to certain political views.
By matching genetic information with maps of the subjects' social networks, the researchers were able to show that people with a specific variant of the DRD4 gene were more likely to be liberal as adults, but only if they had an active social life in adolescence.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter affecting brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain. Previous research has identified a connection between a variant of this gene and novelty-seeking behavior, and this behavior has previously been associated with personality traits related to political liberalism. People with the novelty-seeking gene variant would be more interested in learning about their friends' points of view. As a consequence, people with this genetic predisposition who have a greater-than-average number of friends would be exposed to a wider variety of social norms and lifestyles, which might make them more liberal than average.
Environment plays a major role in how you personally view issues, politics, points-of-view, etc. The way you were raised and the environment you grew up in aid in the attitudes you express towards a certain topic and the virtues you have. According to new research, your genetic make-up also plays a role in how you view a particular topic or issue. Its interesting to know that you can be genetically dispositioned to have a political view. Since dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain and plays vital roles in a variety of different behaviors, some people automatically release dopamine when confronted with a certain topic/issue, which triggers an emotional response. Next time someone asks you why you are liberal, not republican, just say, "I was born this way."
I read this article on my own before I saw this post, and I think this is total BS.
ReplyDeleteI can't even being to imagine why anyone in their right mind would believe this "finding". These "scientists" are speculating to the extreme.
The article says that if you had an "active adolescent social life" it helps with the expression of this so called gene. So, does that mean the recluses and quiet kids in school will never EVER be liberals cause they wouldn't have had the crucial factor of their adolescent social life?
Give me a break.
This article comes from Fox News, so do I really need to say more?
I do find this interesting. Growing up in the south and in an extremely conservative environment I have often asked myself how I turned out so much better than the rest :D (slightly joking). All jokes aside, how is it that living in a conservative household, in a conservative state, attending conservative schools, I turned out so, so liberal. While I don't know how much can be attributed to genetic make up, it does seem possible that a variant dopamine receptor gene would have to play some type of role in your tendencies. Or maybe not. Either way, I am definitely going to hit my father (who still likes to consider my political views a "phase") with this new finding that "I can't help it, my genes make me this way"! I wonder how long it will be before any more solid research can yay or nay this topic. In the future, I would like to research a drug that can be administered to tea party supporters to make them a bit more liberal :D. There would be a huge population sample in Tennessee to test out these drugs.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean GOD is a Democrat?
ReplyDeleteIf you consider this from a religious perspective rather than a scientific perspective, I do not think God necessarily has a political party he supports, but he definitely created humans to make choices. Pro-choice is a major stance for liberal people. On the other hand, yhe conservative nature and principles God is all about are not "Democratic" to say the least. @David W Johnson
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that kids who are not socially inclined could still be liberal. And the article does not say that they will never EVER be liberal just because they weren't actively social. I think it's pointing out that the expression of this gene has been more prevelant in people who had an active social life and the studies they have done show this.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's considered speculation if they have scientific studies and research to back up their theory. @asaggese