Empathy plays a major role in our day to day social interactions. The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand how that person feels influences much of our behavior. Many research studies have sought to determine exactly which parts of the brain relate to empathy. Mirror neurons located in the premotor cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, and parietal lobe have proven to be important at recognizing another’s internal state. The Theory of Mind illustrates the ability to comprehend others’ minds and relate to their emotions based on your own. Are these examples the only links to empathy or do others exist?
Research at the University of California, Berkeley, by Aleksandr Kogan prove that there’s actually a gene that makes people more inclined to be empathetic. He randomly selected 48 people, performed DNA tests on them, and paired them together. He videotaped each of the participants listening to the other’s story about how they have suffered in some way. He then had outside observers watch the tape on just the listener. Within 20 seconds the observer would decide the degree of empathy they judged the listener to have. The people with the highest ratings turned out to possess a particular variation of the oxytocin receptor gene known as the GG genotype as opposed to the other participants who had an AA or AG allele combination. People with the latter combinations were less able to put themselves in others’ shoes and became anxious in stressful conditions, while people with the GG genotype could accurately determine others’ emotions. Oxytocin, also known as the “love” hormone, is secreted into the bloodstream and the brain, where it promotes social interaction, bonding and romantic love, among other functions. So, how could the observers accurately rate the more empathetic people without knowing they possessed that particular gene? Kogan states, “What we found is that the people who had two copies of the G version displayed more trustworthy behaviors -- more head nods, more eye contact, more smiling, more open body posture. And it was these behaviors that signaled kindness to the strangers”. This implies that the observers must have implicitly recognized the body language and behavior associated with empathy. The question then arises what function of the brain is responsible for recognizing these cues? Although recognizing body language cues in order to infer behavior is most likely a combination of many functions in the brain including the facial action coding system, my hunch is that mirror neurons play a role as well. The idea of mirror neurons revolves around a codependent relationship between perception and action. This means that in order to comprehend another’s actions we must reference how that action is produced with our own visual representations. Since mirror neurons have this codependent relationship between another’s actions and reference to our own actions, one wonders whether you would be more likely to recognize an empathetic person if you yourself are empathetic. Because this particular gene is also associated with romantic behavior and bonding, you could also beg the question of whether your romantic partner has the same allele combination as you. Maybe your level of empathy is what you found attractive in each other. While these are just speculations, it is an interesting notion to ponder. Do you have the empathy gene?
What's interesting here is that humans are extremely sensitive to the properties of other humans. We have specific noise frequencies dedicated to speech and we have very acute abilities in recognizing other humans in terms of visual mapping. So I wonder, those who have this "empathy gene" if they would be better at detecting speech frequency even at lower amplitude and visualy could see humans even more accurately. Interesting also how the gene regulates secretion of oxytocin, which comes from endocrine system.
ReplyDeleteHuman beings are, by nature, very social and transactional people. We rely on environmental, social and physical cues to get through our day. This article reminds me of another study I recently read, concerning the reasons why some people are more likely to apologize than others.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=im-not-sorry
This leads me to believe that, while social and environmental factors do influence one's personality, maybe biological factors predispose us to acting in a certain way. Maybe the old saying "it's just their nature" actually holds more relevance than we would like to believe.
I believe this and think it is a pretty accurate description based upon those I know to be empathetic. Unfortunately, there are those in society that can imitate these same signs but end up being all about themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis article makes me think of the nature vs nurture debate. Although it seems that this study has shown that people who are more empathetic have the GG genotype, I still wonder how much this gene's influence comes into play, especially considering that the brain is highly plastic. I am wondering if empathy can be learned from the environment and whether this gene's effects can be neutralized by that process.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy gene... it make sense when I begin to bring to mind people who strike me as empathic. Since humans are social creatures dependent on interactions with others having a gene that increases someones likeliness to be empathic makes evolutionary sense. Empathy as a trait that can be passed down, ultimately, could play a role in human sexual selection and building stronger communities.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that came to mind while reading this article is how nature vs. nature plays an effect on this gene. My hunch is that the gene is simply nature, but it is brought out by nurture and environmental factors. I am curious though if this empathy gene is considered dominant or recessive.