behavioral genetics discussion

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Geneticsofrelationships.ppt
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GENETICS OF RELATIONSHIPS

I. ATTACHMENT SECURITY

  • The feeling of emotional safety in a relationship = attachment security
  • Plays an essential role in effective communication, problem solving, and social support
  • Strong predictor of marital satisfaction over time
  • There may be a genetic component to attachment security: Oxytocin receptor (OXTR rs53576) polymorphism, which is linked to other psychological resources like social bonding, empathy, sociability, and emotional stability

OXYTOCIN

  • Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus
  • It is directly linked to modulating social and emotional behaviors
  • High oxytocin plasma levels are associated with maternal bonding, attachment, trust, and social affiliation
  • Differences in oxytocin-related psychological tendencies are related to OXTR rs53576 – specifically, a SNP that encodes G and A

OXTR RS53576

  • Homozygous for the G allele = linked to having better social and emotional skills
  • Studies show that GG individuals are more extroverted, empathetic, and have lower social loneliness compared to AA or AG genotypes
  • Studies also show that GG individuals have higher emotional stability, greater perceived emotional support, and greater self-reported health

OXTR RS53576

  • Homozygous for the G allele = linked to having better social and emotional skills
  • Another study shows that men with GG genotype display more trusting behaviors than men with A allele
  • Another study shows that GG males and females are rated as more compassionate, trustworthy, and kind in video clips when compared to those with AG or AA genotypes
  • Another study shows that carriers of G allele have lower cortisol levels when placed in a group that received decreased social support before a stressful event, suggesting decreased anticipated stress compared to AA genotypes

OXTR GENE AND ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

  • Carriers of one or two copies of the A allele are associated with lower levels of partner bonding behaviors and relationship quality compared to GG carriers
  • Women carrying A allele are more likely to have marital crisis

OXTR AND ATTACHMENT SECURITY

  • Attachment theory = the motivational system that helps explain how children bond with their parents early in life influences how, as adults, individuals bond with their romantic partners
  • Attachment anxiety = decreased self-worth, sensitivity to rejection, and engaging in approval-seeking behaviors
  • Attachment avoidance = avoid closeness with others to maintain their own independent self-worth
  • Individuals who are low in attachment anxiety and avoidance = high in attachment security, which is associated with greater marital satisfaction

OXTR AND ATTACHMENT SECURITY

  • It is now believed, that in addition to environment and upbringing, that attachment security has a genetic component
  • Mothers with OXTR polymorphism of GG = more maternally sensitive than mothers with AA/AG

OXTR AND MARITAL SATISFACTION

  • Individuals with GG genotype or individuals with a spouse who has GG genotype report greater marital satisfaction than those with AA or AG
  • Individuals with GG genotype were also less anxiously attached in their marriage

II. INFIDELITY AND SEXUAL PROMISCUITY

  • Mating and pair-bonding are human universals, but yet, some individuals also engage in uncommitted short-term sexual activities – but the mechanism behind those who do so are still unclear
  • Worldwide mean rates of non-paternity, meaning the rate of men who raise children under the pretense of biological parentage, are near 10%
  • A component of heritability is suggested to exist for things like lifetime sexual partners, infidelity, and risky sexual behaviors

DOPAMINE, OXYTOCIN, AND VASOPRESSIN

  • The dopamine reward system supports motivation and libido to influence sexual and pair-bonding behaviors
  • Dopamine function is also enhanced by oxytocin and vasopressin on the hypothalamus for regulation of attachment
  • Oxytocin and vasopressin are said to influence monogamy and pair-bonding the most

DOPAMINE D4 RECEPTOR GENE (DRD4)

  • A polymorphism in DRD4 is linked to individuals expressing sensation-seeking behaviors
  • These individuals are linked with occurrences of ADHD, alcoholism, financial risk-taking, disinhibition, impulsivity, and increased sexual desire/arousal/function
  • Associated with significantly higher likelihood of reporting engaging in a promiscuous act and infidelity

III. ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUNG ADULTS

  • Love-related behaviors (pair bonding, affection) are associated with serotonin levels in the brain
  • In animals, decreased serotonin levels due to 5-HT1A gene = related to diminished female sexual receptivity and induces aggression toward male mates
  • Individuals carrying G allele of 5-HT1A gene = related to decreased comfort with close relationships
  • So perhaps this gene is linked to the likelihood of young adults being in relationships?

5-HT1A GENE POLYMORPHISM

  • Individuals carrying G allele of C polymorphism are more likely to be single than CC carriers
  • Possibly linked to G allele individuals being associated with greater discomfort of close relationships
  • G carriers = more likely to develop neurotic personalities, major depression, borderline personality disorder