copyright 2010 Rebecca MacLary
**this is one of the blog posts previously submitted to Bytes of Love, which is now, unfortunately, offline. But that means I can re-post these pieces now. Enjoy!
**this is one of the blog posts previously submitted to Bytes of Love, which is now, unfortunately, offline. But that means I can re-post these pieces now. Enjoy!
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Have you ever heard the excuse, “I just couldn't help myself” when it comes to a cheating spouse, or from someone who jumps from one bed to another? Wasn't that the reason given by a certain famous golfer most recently? Maybe (based on recent research) they have a valid excuse – although in my view, people are free to make decisions. To use the excuse that they are prey to a base instinct when it comes to infidelity and other unacceptable activity seems a bit thin.
Researchers at Binghamton University recently published a study in Plos One which looks into the genetic disposition people have to participate in infidelity and sexual promiscuity. The project leader, Justin Garcia, wanted to look into why some people “are motivated to engage in one form and not another, particularly when it comes to promiscuity and infidelity.” So they took 181 young adults and gathered histories of their sexual behaviour and samples of their DNA. The research team discovered that people who participatein uncommitted sex (so one-night stands as well as infidelity) were more likely to have a certain variation of the DRD4 gene (dopamine receptor D4).
The DRD4 gene is also connected to schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, Parkinson disease, political ideology, and novelty seeking. This receptor is activated by dopamine, which means that pleasure and reward systems which release dopamine are likely to be activities enjoyed by persons with this variation of the gene.
But don't let these study results fool you – Garcia said, “not everyone with this genotype will have one-night stands or commit infidelity. Indeed, many people without this genotype still have one-night stands and commit infidelity. The study merely suggests that a much higher proportion of those with this genetic type are likely to engage in these behaviors."
So, what's next? The researchers are interested in sampling more people to see if they can replicate their findings. They also want to study people whose spouses have committed adultery.
Sources
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