More than 1,200 genetic variants have been linked to Big Five personality traits, and many same variants are also associated with health, longevity, careers, income, and everyday habits. Findings reveal surprisingly wide genetic connection between personality and life outcomes while showing environment still plays powerful role.
International team of scientists has identified more than 1,200 genetic variants associated with Big Five personality traits. Findings also suggest same genetic patterns connected to personality relate to wide range of life outcomes. The study, led by Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, brought together data from 46 research cohorts worldwide. Participants provided DNA samples and completed questionnaires measuring Big Five traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. These traits describe relatively stable patterns in how people tend to think, feel, and behave. Researchers compared genetic data with differences in personality scores to identify variants associated with each trait.
No Single Gene Determines Personality, But Many Small Effects Add Up
“There is no single ‘personality gene,'” said Ted Schwaba, lead author and faculty at MSU’s Department of Psychology. “Personality traits are associated with many genetic variants, but even largest effects of individual variants are still very small,” he explained.
“However, even though any individual genetic variant makes very little difference in personality, effects of many variants together can be more sizeable,” Schwaba added. Therefore, combined genetic influence becomes substantial and consistent. Genetic patterns also appeared to hold across very different groups of people globally. For instance, variants associated with extraversion in young adult living in Netherlands could also predict extraversion in older retired adult in United States.
By using methods that compared relatives with one another, team found evidence that associations could not simply be explained by growing up in same environment. Even so, genetics is only part of picture, and environment plays important role in shaping personality.
Analysis: Personality Genetics Reach Across Daily Life And Habits
Researchers found genetic variants associated with personality overlap with genetic patterns connected to many other life areas. These include mental and physical health, longevity, education, career choices, and way people are viewed by those close to them.
Some links involved everyday habits directly. Genetic variants associated with conscientiousness were also related to being more active during daytime. Meanwhile, variants associated with openness to experience and extraversion were connected with greater tendency to be night owl.
Results also highlight how genetics and environment can interact rather than operating independently. For example, common genetic variants associated with openness were linked to greater likelihood someone would move to more cosmopolitan neighborhood.
Living in that type of environment could then reinforce or further shape same personality trait over time. Consequently, genes may influence environments people select, which then further shape personality.
“Personality seems to be relevant nearly everywhere you look. We hope this study will encourage many other scientists to incorporate personality traits into their fields,” said Schwaba.
“For example, genetic variants associated with neuroticism predict more time spent in hospital, which is relevant to physicians and health researchers,” he explained. Variants associated with openness to experience are linked to income and switching jobs, which is relevant to vocational researchers. Findings suggest studying genetics of personality could have implications well beyond psychology. Potentially, research could inform medicine, health, education, and workplace studies significantly.
Q&A
Q: How many genetic variants are linked to Big Five personality traits?
A: International study identified more than 1,200 genetic variants associated with Big Five personality traits across 46 research cohorts.
Q: Is there a single personality gene?
A: No, there is no single personality gene; each variant has tiny effect, but combined effects of many variants together become sizeable.
Q: Do personality genes also affect health and income?
A: Yes, same variants linked to personality also overlap with health, longevity, education, career outcomes, income, and daily habits like being night owl.
FAQ
1. Who led 1,200 genetic variants personality study?
Study was led by Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium with lead author Ted Schwaba from Michigan State University Department of Psychology.
2. What are Big Five personality traits studied?
Big Five traits are openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, describing stable thinking and behaving patterns.
3. How many research cohorts were included?
Team brought together data from 46 research cohorts worldwide, comparing DNA and personality questionnaires across diverse populations.
4. Do genetics explain personality completely?
No, findings reinforced important role of environment in shaping personality; genetics is only part of picture with powerful environmental influence.
5. How does genetics interact with environment in personality?
Genes associated with openness linked to moving to cosmopolitan neighborhoods, and living there could then reinforce same personality trait further.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or genetic counseling advice.
