Do people tend to like you?

Do you believe you are a kind, empathetic person? Your genes may be able to tell you the honest answer. In facts, there is a gene that is so influential in our socio-emotional sensitivity, that in one research, people were able to observe and  accurately judge whether a complete stranger had the “empathy” gene in under 20 seconds.  Multiple studies have proven that we are genetically predisposed to how kind we are.

Empathy and kindness lies in our genes. Oxytocin, dubbed “the cuddle chemical” or “love hormone” is a hormone associated with trust and is necessary for forging intimate relationships with loved ones. The OXTR gene, or the oxytocin receptor gene has three variants- A and G and AG and each are strongly correlated with a certain social behavior.

You are one of three types of people: GG, AG, or AA

The GG Variant People

• Predisposed for empathy and kindness
•  Displays altruistic and charitable behavior
•  Greater ability to cope with stress [PMID 19934046]
•  Greater parenting skills and maternal sensitivity to children [PMID 19015103]
•  Reduced risk for social anxiety and autism [PMID 20724662]
•  Better social and communication skills; more likeable by strangers at first impression
•  Optimistic
• Displays more pro-social behavior
•  Less lonely [PMID 19376182]

• Better able to discern the emotional state of others [PMID 19934046]

 

The AG or AA Variant People

• Less pro-social physical and verbal cues that display empathy
•  increased risk for impaired social interaction & communication [PMID 20724662]
•  Twice as less likely to be charitable and altruistic, especially under stress or fear
•  Less trusting
•  Does not handle stress well
•  Less maternal sensitivity and parenting ability [PMID 19015103]
•  Feels more lonely and more emotionally co-dependent on others  [PMID 19376182]
• Higher risk for social anxiety

 

However, social behavior is influenced by other genetic factors and many non genetic factors as well, such as culture, environment, and childhood experiences. Even though this genetic marker is strongly associated with socio-emotional sensitivity and well-being, this does not mean you absolutely have the associated social behavior. However, it is interesting to note all the different research that manifested from this gene.

The Significance of this Gene

Oxytocin is both a hormone and a neurotransmitter that influences social and emotional processing throughout our body. It is dubbed the “cuddle hormone” because it is released when two people deeply bond. OXTR is an oxytocin receptor gene that has two variants- G and A- that is associated with  empathy and stress reactivity. Due to genetic variation, people can be either GG, AA or AG. Compared with people with the homozygous GG allele, people with AG or AA allele showed far less empathy and higher stress reactivity. Injections of oxytocin increased prosocial behaviors, generosity, feelings of trust and empathy in humans. If this OXTR gene is completely knocked out (eliminated) in lab animals, they display aberrant social behavior, increased aggression and offspring neglect.

 

• Even slight genetic variation can quickly be noticed by others- even complete strangers. In one research, strangers watched a 20 second silent recording of 23 couples interacting with each other and judged how trustworthy and likeable someone seemed based on prosocial traits. In the 10 least trusted people, 9 had at least one copy of the A genotype.

 

• Mice that has the OXTR receptor gene completely knocked out showed aggressive and aberrant behavior and even refused to acknowledge it’s own offspring.

 

•  Those with at least one copy of the A genotype is more likely to have an autism diagnosis.

 

•  Study examining the relationship between 176 mothers and their children showed that mothers with the GG genotype has a significantly more sensitive parenting style than those with AG or AA genotypes. [PMID 19015103]