Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print MSU research: Genes may influence popularity

MSU research: Genes may influence popularity

December 22, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - A groundbreaking study of popularity by a Michigan State University scientist has found that genes elicit not only specific behaviors but also the social consequences of those behaviors.

According to the investigation by behavioral geneticist S. Alexandra Burt, male college students who had a gene associated with rule-breaking behavior were rated most popular by a group of previously unacquainted peers.




It's not unusual for adolescent rule-breakers to be well-liked - previous research has made that link - but Burt is the first to provide meaningful evidence for the role of a specific gene in this process. The study appears in the latest issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, which is published by the American Psychological Association.

"The idea is that your genes predispose you to certain behaviors and those behaviors elicit different kinds of social reactions from others," said Burt, assistant professor of psychology. "And so what's happening is, your genes are to some extent driving your social experiences."

The concept - which researchers call "evocative gene-environment correlation" - had been discussed in scientific literature but only in theory. This study is the first to really flesh out the process, establishing clear connections between a specific gene, particular behaviors and actual social situations, she said.

Burt collected DNA from more than 200 male college students in two separate samples. After interacting in a lab setting for about an hour, the students filled out a questionnaire about whom they most liked in their group. In both samples, the most popular students turned out to be the ones with a particular form of a serotonin gene that was also associated with rule-breaking behavior.

"So the gene predisposed them to rule-breaking behavior and their rule-breaking behavior made them more popular," Burt said.

Burt is working on similar studies with female college students, as well as mixed-gender social groups. She also plans to explore associations with other social behaviors and other genes in larger samples.

Michigan State University



Related Popularity Current Events and Popularity News Articles Popularity Current Events and Popularity News RSS Popularity Current Events and Popularity News RSS
For improving early literacy, reading comics is no child's play
Although comics have been published in newspapers since the 1890s, they still get no respect from some teachers and librarians, despite their current popularity among adults.

Sun or shade: Pecan leaves' photosynthetic light response evaluated
Pecan, the most valuable nut tree native to North America, is native from northern Illinois and southeastern Iowa to the Gulf Coast of the United States, where it grows abundantly along the Mississippi River, the rivers of central and eastern Oklahoma, and Texas.

Electrical engineers go head to head with Genius on music playlists
Electrical engineers recently pitted Genius - the music recommendation system in Apple's iTunes - against two experimental music recommender systems.

More students than ever before studying engineering and physical sciences at degree level
More students than ever before have been accepted onto science and engineering related degree courses this autumn, according to the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Science is also now the most popular subject at school according to a new poll of children aged 5 to 18.

Recent 'momentum' influences choices of baby names, NYU, Indiana psychology professors find
How do people choose a name for their child? Researchers have long noted that the overall popularity of a name exerts a strong influence on people's preferences-more popular names, such as Robert or Susan, are more frequent and, by their sheer ubiquity, drive more parents to adopt a similar choice.

Fewer hikers means less support for conservation, study says
Serious hikers and backpackers tend to become supporters of environmental and conservation groups while casual woodland tourists do not, a new study says -- and a recent fall-off in strenuous outdoor endeavors portends a coming decline in the ranks of conservation backers.

Researchers find demand for cosmetic and surgical procedures in dermatologic surgery rising rapidly
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the Laser and Skin Cancer Center of Indiana, (Carmel, Indiana), found that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of procedures performed and patient demand for dermatologic health care since 2000.

Rich people don't need friends
In a paper evaluated by f1000 Medicine, six studies tested relationships between reminders of money, social exclusion and physical pain.

Houseplants cut indoor ozone
Ozone, the main component of air pollution, or smog, is a highly reactive, colorless gas formed when oxygen reacts with other chemicals.

Environmental effects of cold-climate strawberry farming
Strawberries are America's fifth-favorite fruit, according to consumption rates. California and Florida grow more than 95% of the nation's strawberries; an additional 12,000 acres are planted in other states.
More Popularity Current Events and Popularity News Articles
Secrets to Popularity and Friendship

Secrets to Popularity and Friendship
by Meredith Trattler (Author)

By making the most of what you have, you can be a true social star. By developing your personality, demeanor, charisma, and talents, you can easily increase your popularity. You will be equipped with a repertoire of smooth social skills to attract new friends.With your winning style, you will glow with inner social and self-confidence. At the same time you will feel personally rewarded. Your talent to benefit others will enhance your popularity. So you will be proud to be who you are.With friends, you make great life gains. You share with them your excitement and good times. With their eye-awakening revelations, friends sometimes know you even better than you know yourself. With their compliments and support, friends can make you feel good about yourself.At times you need answers to...

Full of It

Full of It
Starring: Derek McGrath, Teri Polo, Cynthia Stevenson, John Carroll Lynch, Carmen Electra
Also With: Kramer Morgenthau (Cinematographer), John Swihart (Composer)

17 year-old Sam (Pinkston) may be the new kid at school, but he's got a sure-fire scheme to fast-track his popularity. Claiming to drive a Porsche, date a movie star and have a rock-star for a dad, Sam soon finds himself BMOC. But when Sam's outlandish fictions mysteriously turn into outrageous facts - he begins to discover that having all your dreams come true... can be a total nightmare!

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurette



Popularity

Popularity
by Jonezetta



Miss Popularity: Your Style, Your Friends, Your Choices

Miss Popularity: Your Style, Your Friends, Your Choices
by Valusoft

Miss Popularity offers wholesome fun for tweens, teens and twenty-somethings that brings fun and flirting to the boy-meets-girl world of dating

Benefit Cosmetics Miss Popularity

Benefit Cosmetics Miss Popularity
by Benefit Cosmetics

why we love it:Turn up your "all that" appeal with miss popularity. All you need is our new precision highlighter in all the right places and you're "all that" just like that. This soft white shimmering highlighter makes it so easy.

Popularity [Explicit]

Popularity [Explicit]
Skyzoo (Primary Contributor)



GZHEL Salt Pepper Shakers HEN ROOSTER BIRD COURT Signed [Dimensions: 3"x 6"(7.5 x 15 cm.); Materials: porcelain; Made in Russia. Hand painted. Signed by artist] [This set includes two delightful Gzhel-style chicken statues - one hen and one rooster - that are in fact salt and pepper shakers. Whimsical yet elegant, these birds will be a great decoration for your table] [Gzhel porcelain decorated with fancy blue painting has acquired wide popularity in the whole wide world. Its value consists in its uniqueness and decorativeness. Gzhel ware is decorated with flowers, leaves, bunches and garlands of flowers. They are painted with the only colour - blue cobalt, which is sometimes laid wide and rich dab and other times in hardly noticeable touch of the brush. Touches of different intensity create a rich, bright and very impressive picture]

GZHEL Salt Pepper Shakers HEN ROOSTER BIRD COURT Signed [Dimensions: 3"x 6"(7.5 x 15 cm.); Materials: porcelain; Made in Russia. Hand painted. Signed by artist] [This set includes two delightful Gzhel-style chicken statues - one hen and one rooster - that are in fact salt and pepper shakers. Whimsical yet elegant, these birds will be a great decoration for your table] [Gzhel porcelain decorated with fancy blue painting has acquired wide popularity in the whole wide world. Its value consists in its uniqueness and decorativeness. Gzhel ware is decorated with flowers, leaves, bunches and garlands of flowers. They are painted with the only colour - blue cobalt, which is sometimes laid wide and rich dab and other times in hardly noticeable touch of the brush. Touches of different intensity create a rich, bright and very impressive picture]
by Made In Russia

This set includes two delightful Gzhel-style chicken statues - one hen and one rooster - that are in fact salt and pepper shakers. Whimsical yet elegant, these birds will be a great decoration for your table. Gzhel porcelain decorated with fancy blue painting has acquired wide popularity in the whole wide world. Its value consists in its uniqueness and decorativeness. Gzhel ware is decorated with flowers, leaves, bunches and garlands of flowers. They are painted with the only colour - blue cobalt, which is sometimes laid wide and rich dab and other times in hardly noticeable touch of the brush. Touches of different intensity create a rich, bright and very impressive picture.

Londons Times Funny Music Cartoons - Waning Popularity - Mouse Pads

Londons Times Funny Music Cartoons - Waning Popularity - Mouse Pads
by 3dRose LLC

Waning Popularity Mouse Pad is measuring 8w x 8h x .25d, soft commercial quality high resolution product. The image is permanent and becomes part of the mouse pad surface. Our transfer method produces professional matte finish with Premium Quality and Superior image resolution.

Popularity is a socially transmitted disease Sweatshirt Small White

Popularity is a socially transmitted disease Sweatshirt Small White
by Shop Zeus



Waning Popularity - 8 Inch Ceramic Tile

Waning Popularity - 8 Inch Ceramic Tile
by 3dRose LLC

Waning Popularity Tile is commercial quality. Constraction grade, glossy finish tiles are produced from material clays and minerals into exceptionally reliable finished products that can be used as a decorarative pieces also.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com