Niceness is gene deep

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDApr 12 2012

According to scientists, inherent niceness lies in the genes of a person.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo and University of California, Irvine, found a connection between people being nice and versions of receptor genes for two hormones, oxytocin and vasopressin, that have been associated with niceness in past studies.

The study was published in the journal Psychological Science and it finds that if one has these genes that gives them certain versions of those hormone receptors, they are more likely to be a nice person. However, the researchers found in the study that the genes work in concert with a person's upbringing and life experiences to determine how sociable - or anti-social - he or she becomes.

Previous studies have linked the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin to the way people treat each other, especially in close relationships. Scientists already know oxytocin promotes maternal behavior, with people exposed to the hormone in lab experiments demonstrating greater sociability.

As part of the study, participants were asked questions about their attitudes toward civic duty, such as whether people have a moral duty to report a crime, other people and whether the world is generally a good or bad place, and about their charitable activities, like giving blood or going to PTA meetings. Of those surveyed, 711 people provided a sample of saliva for DNA analysis, that showed what form they had of the oxytocin and vasopressin receptors.

Professor Michel Poulin, of the University of Buffalo, said, “The study found that these genes combined with people's perceptions of the world as a more or less threatening place to predict generosity. Specifically, study participants who found the world threatening were less likely to help others - unless they had versions of the receptor genes that are generally associated with niceness.”

He explained, “These 'nicer' versions of the genes allow you to overcome feelings of the world being threatening and help other people in spite of those fears. The fact that the genes predicted behavior only in combination with people's experiences and feelings about the world isn't surprising because most connections between DNA and social behavior are complex. So if one of your neighbors seems really generous, caring, civic-minded kind of person, while another seems more selfish, tight-fisted and not as interested in pitching in, their DNA may help explain why one of them is nicer than the other.”

He added, “We aren't saying we've found the niceness gene, but we have found a gene that makes a contribution. What I find so interesting is the fact that it only makes a contribution in the presence of certain feelings people have about the world around them.”

Having the “nicer” genes may benefit you, as well as those around you. According to the scientists, “Some research has indicated that behavior aimed at helping other people is a better predictor of health and well-being than are social engagement or received social support.”