Niceness is referred to how people treat others and how they react to the world around them. Recently psychologists at the University of Buffalo and the University of California claim to have found genes that influence hormones which contribute to niceness or generosity. This is not to say they have found a niceness gene, but they have found a link between certain hormones and the way people act. These hormones known as
oxytocin and
vasopressin are said to show greater socialibilty and a greater maternal behavior. The gene found is said to influence on if people view the world as bad or good.
A survey was done in order to further research this finding, where they looked at results of peoples attitude towards civic duty, other people, the world, and charitable activities. They then took saliva from 711 for DNA analysis. What this showed was people who find the world threatening were less likely to help people, unless they had the gene that is associated with niceness.
Kylep:
ReplyDeleteYou wrote: What this showed was people who find the world threatening were less likely to help people, unless they had the gene that is associated with niceness.
But then wrote: This is not to say they have found a niceness gene.
These statements seem to be contradictory. Could you elaborate a bit more?
This is a classic example of the influences of both nature and nurture on the personalities of people. Oxytocin is one of the most powerful feel-good chemicals in the human body. It is released when people have orgasms as well as by women who are breastfeeding. It is no surprise that an increased level of oxytocin would result in an increase in this type of "nice" behavior. However, I feel that motherly behavior is unfavorable in males since they tend to have careers that often include more conflict and confrontation, where being aggressive and assertive may be favorable.
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