Author Question: East Asians have a much higher probability of having the S allele of the serotonin transporter gene ... (Read 116 times)

luminitza · **on:** Jun 19, 2018

East Asians have a much higher probability of having the S allele of the serotonin transporter gene than people living in many other parts of the world. There is a positive correlation between the percentage of S allele carriers and a cultures rating on a scale from individualistic to collectivistic. What does this correlation mean at the population level? How do individuals with the S allele vary from those with the L allele, individually and within societal context?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Based on research (Gardner, Gabriel & Lee, 1999), which of the following is true?

a. Individualistic values are socially transmitted to people growing up in that culture and form a stable and unchanging view of the self.
b. Independent and interdependent views of the self are genetic in nature and only shift over the course of generations.
c. Independent and interdependent views of the self are human universals and the relative dominance of one over the other is modifiable by a persons experience and situation.
d. Collectivistic values are socially transmitted to people growing up in that culture and form a stable and unchanging view of the self.

AaaA · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANSWER:
Like all correlations, multiple relationships are possible. A population with a certain genetic mix might be more likely to form a particular type of culture, a culture might shape the reproductive success of its members, some outside variable could influence both the genetic mix and form of the culture, or some combination of these factors could influence each other simultaneously.

Zooming in to the level of the individual, we find that people carrying the S allele are especially attentive to negative information, like words and pictures that produce negative emotions. This focus on negativity might assist a person to cope well within a collectivistic environment, as it could lead to a heightened sensitivity to another persons anger or fear. Early recognition of impending negative interactions might give people a chance to smooth things over before they escalate. In contrast, the L allele is associated with more attention to positive stimuli, greater risk-taking, and creativity, which are probably better suited to the individualistic cultural environment. The person carrying the S allele might be too cautious for the individualistic cultural environment, whereas the person carrying the L allele might act like a bull in a china shop in the collectivistic cultural environment. Although the S allele is a risk factor for depression, China has a much lower rate of depression than the United States in spite of the much higher frequency of the S allele in the Chinese population. The collectivistic cultural environment might buffer an individual with the S allele from the stress that can lead to depression. Individual differences are an important aspect of behavior and mental processing, but must be viewed within the larger contexts of the social and cultural environment.

Answer to Question 2

ANSWER:
c