Genetics Cause Some to Focus on the Negative Rather Than the Positive

Are you a negative or a positive person? Whether you focus on the bad or the good might depend on your genes rather than your upbringing. Scientists have discovered that some people are genetically predisposed to see the world darkly.

"This is the first study to find that this genetic variation can significantly affect how people see and experience the world," said Rebecca Todd, one of the researchers, in a news release. "The findings suggest people experience emotional aspects of the world partly through gene-colored glasses--and that biological variations at the genetic level can play significant role in individual differences in perception."

In order to find out a little bit more about how genetics might affect a person's outlook, the researchers recruited 200 participants. These volunteers were then shown positive, negative and neutral words in rapid succession. The researchers then examined the participants for the ADRA2b deletion variant, which influences the hormone and neurotransmitter norepinephrine.

It turns out that the ADRA2b deletion variant also plays a role in real-time perception. Participants with the gene variant were more likely to perceive negative words than others. Both groups perceived positive words better than neutral words to an equal degree.

"These individuals may be more likely to pick out angry faces in a crowd of people," said Todd in a news release. "Outdoors, they might notice potential hazards--places you could slip, loose rocks that might fall--instead of seeing the natural beauty."

The findings reveal a little bit more about how genetics can play a key role in how we view the world. Combined with other factors such as education, culture and moods, they can impact emotional perception and human subjectivity.

Currently, the researchers are planning to explore this phenomenon across ethnic groups. For example, while more than half of Caucasians are believed to have the gene variant, statistics suggest it might be significantly less prevalent in other ethnicities.

The findings are published in the journal Psychological Science.