Genes exert a strong influence over how nice - or socially responsible - h

[Dover]

Humans can learn to be nice


12:04 01 December 04

NewScientist.com news service

Genes exert a strong influence over how nice - or socially responsible - humans are, a new study suggests. But contrary to other studies on personality traits, it suggests upbringing also plays a major role.

Philippe Rushton, a psychologist at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, asked 322 pairs of twins to rate themselves on a standardised questionnaire which measured social responsibility - or altruism.

Identical twins share 100% of their genes while fraternal twins share 50%. By looking at how the sets of twins differ from each other, researchers can work out the comparative importance of nature and nurture in the development of different traits.

Earlier investigations of personality traits - including antisocial behaviour or delinquency - show a strong genetic contribution. Rushton’s study echoed this, with genes underscoring about 42% of socially responsible behaviour, such as voting, keeping promises and honouring commitments.

“I think that the implication is that goodness is somewhat inherent in people. We all join groups and we all want to do the right thing by our group. I mean, there’s even honour among thieves,” says Rushton....(yeah, which is how Republicans justify their thieving).....cont'd

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996743