Does your DNA make you popular?

Summary

This talk explores the intriguing connection between genetics and social behavior, particularly in the context of bullying and popularity. The speaker, an associate professor, delves into how genes influence the production of proteins that regulate our emotions and behaviors, potentially affecting our social standing. Twin studies and genome-wide association studies are highlighted as key research methods, revealing that about 50% of individual differences in behavior and traits are genetically influenced. The speaker emphasizes the importance of environmental factors and the potential for early interventions, suggesting that while genes may predispose, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping social outcomes.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Bullying and social behavior have genetic components, suggesting that DNA plays a role in how we interact and are treated by others.
• 👥 Identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic makeup, are more similar in behavior and social traits compared to non-identical twins, indicating a genetic influence on these aspects.
• 🧪 Genes influence the production of proteins, which in turn affect hormones and neurotransmitters, impacting our emotional responses and behaviors.
• 🧬👶 Twin studies have shown that genetics account for about 50% of the differences in traits and behaviors among individuals.
• 🤔 Both bullying behavior and being a victim of bullying have genetic influences, indicating that our DNA might predispose us to certain social outcomes.
• 🧐 Traits like shyness or impulsiveness, which are genetically influenced, can affect social standing and the likelihood of being bullied.
• 🧬 There is no single 'gene for bullying' or 'gene for popularity'; rather, many small genetic influences combine to affect social behaviors.
• 🔍 Genome-wide association studies are helping researchers understand how specific DNA snippets relate to behavioral phenotypes like aggression or education.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The TRAILS study follows young people and their families over generations to explore how genetic risks interact with environmental factors in shaping behavior.
• 🌱 Early interventions tailored to a child's genetic risk, combined with supportive environments, could potentially mitigate the risk of negative social outcomes.
• 🔒 While genetics loads the gun for behaviors like bullying, it is the environment that pulls the trigger, emphasizing the importance of nurture alongside nature.

Q & A

How does DNA potentially influence social behavior?

DNA influences social behavior by passing on instructions to create amino acids, which are the building blocks for proteins. These proteins are involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate emotions and reactions to the environment, which in turn can affect behavior.

What role do genes play in determining popularity and social standing?

Genes can influence one's social standing and popularity by contributing to traits and behaviors that affect how individuals interact with others. However, it's not a single gene that determines these aspects, but rather a combination of genetic factors.

How do researchers use twin studies to understand the genetic influence on behavior?

Researchers compare identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic makeup, with non-identical twins, who share approximately half. By observing the similarity in behavior or traits between these groups, they can infer the genetic influence since identical twins are assumed to have grown up in the same environment.

What is the TRAILS study mentioned in the script, and what does it focus on?

The TRAILS study, which stands for 'Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey', is a longitudinal research project that follows young people to understand their development and experiences from adolescence through early adulthood. It also includes studying the genetic and environmental factors that influence their behaviors and traits.

How do genetic factors relate to the likelihood of being a victim of bullying?

Genetic factors can predispose certain individuals to be victims of bullying due to traits such as shyness or impulsiveness that are less socially advantageous. However, it's important to note that genetics alone do not determine this outcome; environmental factors also play a significant role.

What is the significance of the finding that both bullying and being bullied have genetic influences?

The finding that both bullying and being bullied have genetic influences is significant because it suggests that our DNA can partly determine not only our actions but also our experiences, such as being targeted by others. This highlights the complex interplay between genetics and social environment.

How does the environment interact with genetic predispositions to affect behavior?

The environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior, even when there are genetic predispositions. For example, a child with a genetic risk for aggression might be more likely to exhibit such behavior in a harsh or unsupportive environment, but less likely in a nurturing and peaceful one.

What is the purpose of collecting DNA samples in the TRAILS study?

Collecting DNA samples in the TRAILS study allows researchers to examine the genetic factors that may contribute to the behaviors and traits observed in the participants. This helps them understand how genetic risks can manifest under different environmental conditions.

How can understanding the genetic component of social behaviors contribute to interventions?

Understanding the genetic component can help in designing targeted interventions. For instance, if a child is identified as having a genetic predisposition to obesity, interventions can focus on promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity.

What is the conclusion of the script regarding the role of genetics in social behaviors like popularity and bullying?

The script concludes that while genetics play a significant role in social behaviors, they do not solely determine one's social status or behaviors like popularity or bullying. The environment also has a substantial impact, and it's the interaction between genetics and environment that shapes these outcomes.

Outlines

00:00

🧬 Genetics and Social Behavior

The paragraph discusses the potential genetic influence on social behavior, particularly in the context of bullying and popularity. It introduces the concept that genes might play a role in how individuals interact socially and whether they are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of bullying. The speaker, an associate professor, explains the pathway from DNA to behavior, highlighting how genes instruct the creation of proteins that influence our emotional responses and behaviors. The paragraph also delves into twin studies as a method for researching genetic influences on behavior, comparing identical and non-identical twins to deduce the impact of genetics versus environment on traits and behaviors.

05:03

🧬 Genetic Predispositions and Victimization

This section expands on the idea that not only aggressive behaviors like bullying are influenced by genetics, but also being a victim of such behaviors. It suggests that certain genetically influenced traits, such as shyness or impulsiveness, might make a child more susceptible to being disliked or bullied. The speaker clarifies that there is no single 'gene for bullying' or 'gene for popularity,' but rather a multitude of genetic factors contribute to these social outcomes. The paragraph also introduces genome-wide association studies as a method for understanding how DNA is linked to behavior, allowing researchers to calculate a risk score based on genetic predispositions.

10:04

🧬 The Interplay of Genetics and Environment

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors in understanding behaviors like aggression and obesity in children. It discusses how genetic risks can be exacerbated by environmental conditions, such as a child with a genetic predisposition to aggression being raised in a harsh or unsupportive home environment. The speaker's own research, part of the TRAILS study, is highlighted, which tracks the development of young people and their children to study the interplay of genetics and upbringing. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging the potential for early intervention based on genetic information to support children's healthy development, while cautioning that genetics alone do not determine an individual's life outcomes.

Keywords

💡Bullying

Bullying refers to aggressive behavior towards a classmate or peer of similar age, often involving repeated actions intended to cause physical or psychological harm. In the video, bullying is discussed as a complex social behavior that can have genetic influences, meaning that some individuals might be predisposed to engage in bullying or be victims of it due to their genetic makeup. The script mentions that both bullying and being a victim of bullying are genetically influenced, highlighting the role of DNA in social interactions.

💡Genetics

Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and the variation of inherited characteristics in living organisms. The video script explores how genetics can influence social behavior, such as popularity and bullying. It explains that genes carry instructions for creating proteins that regulate emotions and behaviors, thus potentially affecting one's social standing and interactions. The script also discusses how genetic research, including twin studies, can help understand the role of DNA in shaping these behaviors.

💡DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms. It is composed of genes that dictate the production of proteins, which in turn influence various bodily functions and traits. The video emphasizes that DNA plays a role in social behaviors, although it does not pinpoint a single gene responsible for social outcomes like popularity or bullying. Instead, it suggests that many genes collectively contribute to these complex traits.

💡Twin Studies

Twin studies are a type of research design used to understand the influence of genetics on human traits and behaviors by comparing identical twins, who share 100% of their genetic makeup, with fraternal twins, who share approximately 50%. The video uses twin studies as an example of how researchers can determine the genetic influence on behaviors like aggression or social interactions. It explains that if identical twins are more similar in a particular behavior than fraternal twins, it suggests a genetic component to that behavior.

💡Social Behavior

Social behavior encompasses the actions and patterns of interaction among individuals in a social setting. The video script discusses how social behavior, such as forming friendships or being a victim of bullying, can be influenced by genetics. It suggests that genetic predispositions might make some individuals more prone to certain social behaviors, but it also emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in shaping these behaviors.

💡Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another. They play a crucial role in regulating mood, stress, and other emotional responses. The video script mentions that genes can influence the production of neurotransmitters, which in turn can affect emotional reactions and behaviors, including social interactions.

💡Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that are transported through the bloodstream to regulate various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and mood. The video script indicates that hormones, like neurotransmitters, are influenced by genes and can affect how we feel and behave, thus potentially influencing our social standing and interactions.

💡Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)

Genome-Wide Association Studies are a type of genetic research that examines the entire genome to identify genetic variations associated with a particular disease, trait, or behavior. The video script explains that GWAS can help researchers understand how specific snippets of DNA are linked to behaviors like aggression or educational attainment, providing a more detailed picture of the genetic influences on social behaviors.

💡Phenotype

A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an individual, which result from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. In the context of the video, phenotypes can include behaviors, traits, or health conditions. The script discusses how researchers use phenotypes in genetic studies to look for patterns that might be associated with certain genetic variations, helping to understand the genetic basis of social behaviors.

💡Environmental Factors

Environmental factors refer to the conditions and influences surrounding an individual that can affect their development, behavior, and health. The video script emphasizes that while genetics play a role in social behaviors, environmental factors are also crucial. It gives examples of how the same genetic risk for aggression might manifest differently depending on the child's upbringing and home environment, illustrating the complex interplay between nature and nurture.

💡Aggression

Aggression is a behavior characterized by the intent to cause harm or discomfort to others. In the video, aggression is used as an example of a social behavior that has genetic influences. The script discusses how identical twins are more similar in aggressive behaviors than non-identical twins, suggesting a genetic component. However, it also highlights that environmental factors, such as parenting styles and school climate, can significantly impact the expression of aggressive behaviors.

Highlights

Bullying and social standing may have genetic components.

The University of the Netherlands researches how genes influence social behavior.

Genes instruct the creation of proteins that regulate emotions and behaviors.

Twin studies compare identical and non-identical twins to deduce genetic influences on behavior.

Identical twins show more similarity in behavior and traits than non-identical twins, suggesting genetic influence.

Twin studies have found genetic influence on aggression, pro-social behavior, and even religious beliefs.

Bullying and victimization are genetically influenced, indicating our own DNA partly drives experiences.

Traits like shyness or impulsiveness, influenced by genetics, can affect social acceptance.

There is no single 'gene for bullying' or 'gene for popularity'; genetics has a subtle influence.

Genome-wide association studies link many snippets of DNA to behaviors and traits.

Genetic risk scores can predict tendencies but are not deterministic.

The TRAILS study tracks adolescents' development and experiences over two decades.

Genetic and environmental factors combine to influence behaviors like aggression.

Early intervention can support children at higher genetic risk for issues like obesity.

Genetics loads the gun for social behaviors, but the environment pulls the trigger.

Future research may use genetic information to help children, but genes do not solely determine one's life.

Transcripts

Being bullied could have  something to do with your genes...  

and I'm going to tell you how that  works.

Does your dna make you popular?

This is the University of the Netherlands

All of us remember from school how some of our classmates...  

had lots of friends and other people stood more at the sideline.

Some children were mean to others and some were the victims of such bullying.

Some children had the same small group of best friends...

all throughout secondary school and others were like social butterflies...

constantly making new friends.

Some were overlooked and others massively popular...

No matter which group they entered.

As adults we probably observe the same...

even if it is not in this condensed and obvious form anymore.

What makes us different in how we approach and handle social situations...

and how we are perceived and treated by the people around us?

Most of us instinctively think that the ability to interact with others...

to be popular, is in the person.

Maybe because they were always  like this.

This would mean that there is some innate explanation for social behavior.

But could your dna really play a role in this and affect your friendships...

and social standing in a group?

I am an associate professor and I do research on how genes...

influence social behaviour.

How would that work? Let's try and trace the pathway...

from the dna to a behaviour.

Humans have tens of thousands of genes that are made up of dna...

which carries the genetic information in our body.

Some of those genes pass on instructions to create amino acids...

which are the building blocks for  the proteins in our body.

Proteins in turn are the building blocks for hormones and neurotransmitters...

the chemicals in our brains and our bodies that regulate...

how happy, awake, frightened or stressed we feel.

These kinds of emotional reactions of our body to the environment...

likely also have an effect  on our behavior.

So even though there are a lot of steps....

between the dna and the behavior, both are actually linked...

in a biologically meaningful way.

But does that really mean that our dna influences our friendships...

and our social standing in a group?

Let me tell you how researchers go about finding out more about this.

Well one possibility is by looking at twins.

Simply put one compares  identical twins...

which share hundred percent of their genetic makeup...

to non-identical twins who  share approximately half...

of their genetic makeup.

Because they're all twins we assume that the two identical twins...

grew up in the same environment and that the non-identical twins...

grew up in the same environment.

If we now see that the identical twins are much more similar to one another...

on a behaviour or on a trait than the non-identical twins...

we conclude that the similarity in identical twins...

has to be caused by genes because this is the part...

where they are more similar than non-identical twins.

So for instance imagine two identical twins.

Both get into fights a lot.

And also imagine two non-identical twins where one fights a lot...

but the other does not.

We conclude that the identical  twins are a lot more similar...

on that aggressive behavior than the non-identical twins.

Now that we think that the environmental conditions...

for identical twins are just as similar as they are for non-identical twins...

we reason that it is the differences in dna among the non-identical twins...

that explain why they show different behaviour.

Over the past decades there have been a lot of twin studies...

which found that identical twins are more similar to each other...

than non-identical twins on pretty much everything that would be of interest...

to behavioural and social  scientists.

This includes behaviours such as aggression or pro-social behaviour.

Or whether and how much someone smokes.

But also traits such as neuroticism and even norms and values.

Like whether or not someone is religious.

On the whole we can say that about 50 of  the differences between us as individuals  

and traits and behaviors come about  because of the differences in our dna  

scientists have also compared twins on whether they bully others...

and are bullied themselves.

Bullying and victimization are important  concepts in social development...

and can carry a lot of weight for one's position in the classroom.

What is really fascinating is that not only bullying which in essence...

is aggressive behaviour towards a classmate or other peer of similar age...

is genetically influenced, but also being a victim.

This latter finding is really fascinating because it means that...

even things that happen to us are partly driven by our own dna.

At the moment we can only speculate why this is.

A possibility might be that certain traits or behaviors that are genetically influenced...

and are known for putting a child at risk for being disliked and bullied by others...

might explain what is going on.

This could be for example the way a child looks...

that is not approved by the group. But also being very shy or impulsive.

These are traits that we know  are genetically influenced.  

And we know are often not  so handy for becoming popular.

I want to touch upon another thing.

When I talk about the role of dna for social behaviour...

and how we form and experience relationships with others...

I often get asked whether this means that there is a particular gene...

for bullying or a particular gene for popularity.

This is really not the case.

Each single snippet of dna has such a tiny influence on human traits...

and on behaviour that there is no one snippet that determines...

whether or not someone is popular or a victim of bullying.

Still of course we want to know a bit more than what twin studies can tell us.

And luckily there have been some very exciting developments...

in the field of genetics in the past few years...

that will hopefully help us understand  better how our dna is linked to behaviour.

These developments are based on  genome wide association studies

in which researchers measure the  links between lots and lots...

of snippets of dna and the so-called phenotype.

such a phenotype can  be anything.

How many years someone went to school for instance.

Or a score on a questionnaire that is  asking about aggressive behaviours.

Researchers look for patterns.

Do people with the same phenotype,  for example high levels...

of aggressive behaviour, have the same pattern on a dna snippet?

In other words: does a particular snippet look the same...

for people who are similar on a phenotype.

And after running such a study we know for each snippet of dna...

how much it is related to the phenotype we're interested in.

Such as years of education or aggressive behaviour.

And we can combine these many pieces of information...

to calculate a risk score that combines the information...

of all bits of dna that we looked at.

Such a score then basically describes the combined genetic chance...

for someone to stay in education for many years.

Or a combined genetic risk for someone...

to behave aggressively towards others.

We cannot change someone's dna, so what can we do with this information...

It is important to keep in mind that the genetic prediction of risk...

for aggressive behaviour is by no means deterministic.

Even if someone has a high genetic risk

the environment in which this child grows up in plays a very important role.

And this is what my own research focuses on.

Together with colleagues I work with a TRAILS study.

TRAILS stands for tracking adolescents' individual life survey.

For almost 20 years the trails research team has followed young people...

to understand their development and capture their experiences...

in their teens and during early adulthood.

Many of those young people now have  children of their own...

and we are very fortunate to include these children in our research.

So when we hear that someone in the trail study had a baby...

we ask if we can come over for a visit and there we interview the parents...

and we ask them to play with the child so we can study the differences...

in how young parents interact with the infants.

We also come back for additional visits...

when the children are two and a half and four and a half years old.

And we do lots of cool stuff with them  like little experiments...

or interviews with hand puppets.

Of course because we are interested in the genetic side of things...

we also collect dna.

We do that by taking swaps of the cells inside the mouth...

from both the child and the parents.

Having genetic information on both generations is really useful.

For instance imagine a child who has inherited...

a genetic risk for aggressive behaviour.

The genes that this child has inherited...

and that are related to the child's increased risk for aggression...

are obviously also carried by the parents...

and influence the parents' aggressive  behaviour not only towards others...

but probably also towards the child.

This could be by being cold  towards the child...

losing patience when something goes wrong

or generally by not making sure that  the child is loved and welcome.

These parenting behaviours are environmental factors...

that have been linked to child aggression as well.

As such this child has a double risk for being aggressive...

coming from the genes and the environment.

In my research we don't only have dna information of the child...

but also so much knowledge on their upbringing and home environment...

during the early years and even on their parents' development...

during their teens and early twenties.

So we can really zoom in on how the genetic risk of a child for a trait...

plays out under different environmental conditions.

So if we take the child again with a high genetic risk for aggression...

and we know that this child goes to school where children fight a lot...

.and teachers are not really interested

The risk for this child to bully others is  probably higher than for a child...

with the same genetic risk but who goes to a school...

with a more peaceful and caring climate.

Let me give you another example.

We know that child overweight and obesity are a growing problem.

From twin and genetic research we know that overweight...

and obesity are genetically influenced.

But environmental conditions such as  how close someone lives...

to fast food restaurants and family meals high in sugar and fat...

also contribute to child overweight and obesity.

If we now know who carries a high genetic risk for obesity...

we can maybe make extra sure that these children are supported...

in choosing healthy foods and engage in sports and physical activity.

Putting it differently, the combination of genetic and environmental risk...

places some children in a particularly bad position...

and it might be appropriate to intervene early in their lives

and create opportunities for  them to flourish regardless.  

Although such kinds of interventions that are based on genetic information...

are really not the reality yet. This kind of research is definitely important...

to support all children to grow up healthy and happy.

Let's go back to the playground of our schools.

Do you remember whether you were the shy kid on the sideline...

or the social butterfly, or the popular one?

Did you ever imagine that this might have been influenced by your genes?

It turns out it does for a considerable part actually.

Of course there's not one single gene that determines whether you're popular...

a bully, or will be bullied.

But we do know that genetics, aside from the environment...

plays an important role.

Future research will show whether we will ever use the genetic information...

to help some children.

But we need to keep in mind the genes will not determine someone's life.

When we talk about such complex social behaviours as popularity or bullying...

genes might load the gun.

But eventually it's the environment  that pulls the trigger. Thank you.