According
to a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles suggested
that psychological resources, such as optimism, self-esteem, and mastery, are
linked to a gene. These three resources
have been shown to help people deal with stress and fight against
depression. The researchers noted that
these resources tend to run in families and suspected a possible genetic
connection. The OXTR gene holds the
coding for oxytocin, a hormone that contributes to positive emotions and social
bonding. Certain variants, or alleles,
of the OXTR gene have been found to be linked to stress related traits. 
This study
asked 326 volunteers to fill out a questionnaire that measured their three
psychological resources and assessed depressive symptoms. After this questionnaire, the participant’s
saliva was examined for variations of the OXTR gene. The researchers discovered that those with an
OXTR gene with an “A” (adenine) at a certain location tended to have more negative
thoughts and measurements than those with two copies of the “G” (guanine)
allele. The participants with an “A”
were less optimistic, had lower self-esteem and felt less personal mastery than
the participants with the “G” allele.
The nature
of science is observable because it’s an observational experiment. It is also natural because it is found in the
genetic coding of human beings and not man made. Another nature of science this study has is
tentative. These findings are the first
to link OXTR directly to specific psychological resources. Other studies could be done to add to this
theory or to disprove it. Also, OXTR is
not the only factor affecting these three psychological resources, as
environmental factors influence ones self-esteem, optimism, and mastery.
Some food
for thought: Are self-esteem, optimism, and mastery influenced more by genetics
or your environment? What factors can
influence the three psychological resources besides genetics? What could be done to improve this study?
Resources: http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/september2011/09262011optimism.htm
If genes alone affected our health, why are death and diseases continuing to escalate? I think that while genes alter how people are to some extent, the main factors that affect people's attitudes towards life are external factors, such as our peers, stress, and our levels of mental and physical activity.
ReplyDeleteIt seems from that article it is unclear the backgrounds/environments the people tested came from. To improve this study, more people should be tested, and from different ethnicities, backgrounds, environments, and ages to encompass all types of people.
http://elevatehealth.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/why-your-genes-dont-determine-your-health/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/human-genome_b_803069.html