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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
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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...
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Popularity
by Jonezetta
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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
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Benefit Miss Popularity Precision Highlighter For Eyes & Face 2g/0.07oz
by Benefit
Miss Popularity Precision Highlighter For Eyes & Face
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The In-Depth Bossa Nova (from the Popularity sessions)
Low Fidelity Jet-Set Orchestra (Primary Contributor)
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High School Musical (Encore Edition)
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Alyson Reed Directed By: Kenny Ortega Also With: Gordon Lonsdale (Cinematographer), Seth Flaum (Editor), Barry Rosenbush (Producer), Bill Borden (Producer), Don Schain (Producer), Peter Barsocchini (Writer)
The all-new, smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie everyone is talking about is now available for the first time ever on DVD -- with never-before-seen bonus features that will rock your house! Troy (Zac Efron), the popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), the brainy and beautiful member of the academic club, break all the rules of East High society when they secretly audition for the leads in the school's musical. As they reach for the stars and follow their dreams, everyone learns about acceptance, teamwork, and being yourself. And it's all set to fun tunes and very cool dance moves! Featuring the hottest talent, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL celebrates the power of music in this hip, entertaining, gotta-get-up-and-dance movie. Own all the excitement and the...
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Health Care
Starring: Creed Bratton, Melora Hardin, Charlie Hartsock, Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein Directed By: Ken Whittingham Also With: Ben Silverman (Producer), Greg Daniels (Producer), Ricky Gervais (Producer), Stephen Merchant (Producer), Howard Klein (Producer), Ken Kwapis (Producer)
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![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]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41OjWZmYy%2BL._SL160_.jpg)
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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.
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Bullying: Popularity Wars Laminated Educational Poster. Guidance Art Print.
by Jaguar Educational
This educational poster helps students deal with threats, harassment and other forms of bullying.
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