Yale School of Medicine- How Genes Shape Personality Traits: New Links Are Discovered
A study by the Yale School of Medicine was conducted to connect how the loci of different genes influence an individual's personality, specifically the “big 5 personality traits”. An article, entitled “How Genes Shape Personality Traits: New Links Are Discovered”, covers one of the largest genetic studies of DNA and its influence on personality. Using genetic data from the Million Veteran Program and a total of 700,000 individuals, researchers worked to understand the connection between gene loci and their effect on the Big 5 personality traits. The big 5 personality traits include extraversion, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and conscientiousness. From this data, Dr. Levey's team was able to discover 62 new loci associated with neuroticism and discovered the first loci associated with agreeableness. Meta-analysis techniques enabled the team to connect over 200 loci with the five major personality traits. Working to apply these discoveries to a larger sample size, Dr. Levey is hopeful to identify a precise definition of variation in his findings. To apply these findings to a broader scale, the research team connected personality traits with mental health issues. While most of the connections made are well established, the team's research was still able to provide a genetic background to each correlation, offering a possible explanation for why some people suffer from different mental health diagnoses according to their personality. Looking towards the future, Levey's team is hopeful that understanding the genetics behind one's personality may give way to the prevention of certain mental health issues. They explain that just because personality is genetically determined, it doesn't mean an individual cannot change certain aspects of their personality. Another article, published in the National Library of Medicine, discusses personality traits and genetics but applies these ideas to family and the study of inheritance. These researchers gather that the application of genetic data to biology and psychology is not as straightforward as it may seem. However, they are hopeful that studying the genetic basis of personality will give more insight into the biology of personality disorders.
Applying the study of genetics and inheritance to an individual's personality is not only important, but provides insight into potential mental disorders a person might encounter. The idea that a gene location may alter an individual's personality trait and ultimately life is fascinating. This study found major connections between different personality traits and mental health disorders, rendering these findings crucial for psychologists. With hopes for these findings to go deeper in the future, they must include a more diverse and wider group of people. With this larger sample population, different variations will be considered, altering conclusions and providing deeper insight into what was discovered in both studies.
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Hi Amanda! This was a really insightful summary of how large-scale genetic data can deepen our understanding of personality and mental health. I especially like how you highlighted both the discoveries and the limitations, showing that genetics is only a piece of a much larger puzzle. Your point about the need for a more diverse population is important, as broader representation could significantly strengthen these findings. Ultimately, this research is fascinating and opens up meaningful possibilities for future psychological and medical applications.
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