Sep 1, 2026 07:48 PM
(This post was last modified: Sep 2, 2026 05:53 PM by C C.)
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1142134
KEY POINTS: New research suggests that the genetics of personality are more relevant to human experience than previously thought. Specifically, genetic variants that predict personality were found to be associated with health, education, career paths, among other major life outcomes. The research demonstrates how interconnected both genetics and the environment are in shaping people’s personalities. Findings encourage scientists of various fields of study to incorporate personality traits into their research for a better understanding of human behaviors and outcomes.
INTRO: An international consortium of researchers found that more than 1,200 different genetic variants are associated with the Big Five personality traits — and surprisingly, these personality genetics are linked to dozens of life outcomes.
This study, led by the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, combined results from 46 different research cohorts around the world. Participants in each cohort provided a DNA sample and completed a questionnaire that measured the Big Five personality traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. These Big Five personality traits are relatively stable and habitual differences in how people think, feel and act. These DNA samples were then linked to differences in people’s personality traits.
“There is no single ‘personality gene,’ said Ted Schwaba, lead author of this study and faculty at MSU’s Department of Psychology. “Personality traits are associated with many genetic variants, but even the largest effects of individual genetic variants are still very small. However, even though any individual genetic variant makes very little difference in personality, the effects of many variants together can be more sizeable.”
Combined together, the researchers found that the genetic effects were more sizable and robust. For example, the same variants linked to extraversion in a young adult in the Netherlands also predicted extraversion in an older adult retiree in the United States. Using methods that compared relatives to one another, the team also confirmed that these genetic links weren’t actually the byproduct of a shared upbringing. Despite these genetic associations, they found that the environment still plays a major role in personality.
The researchers note how relevant the genetics of personality are to so many parts of the human experience... (MORE - no ads)
KEY POINTS: New research suggests that the genetics of personality are more relevant to human experience than previously thought. Specifically, genetic variants that predict personality were found to be associated with health, education, career paths, among other major life outcomes. The research demonstrates how interconnected both genetics and the environment are in shaping people’s personalities. Findings encourage scientists of various fields of study to incorporate personality traits into their research for a better understanding of human behaviors and outcomes.
INTRO: An international consortium of researchers found that more than 1,200 different genetic variants are associated with the Big Five personality traits — and surprisingly, these personality genetics are linked to dozens of life outcomes.
This study, led by the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, combined results from 46 different research cohorts around the world. Participants in each cohort provided a DNA sample and completed a questionnaire that measured the Big Five personality traits: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. These Big Five personality traits are relatively stable and habitual differences in how people think, feel and act. These DNA samples were then linked to differences in people’s personality traits.
“There is no single ‘personality gene,’ said Ted Schwaba, lead author of this study and faculty at MSU’s Department of Psychology. “Personality traits are associated with many genetic variants, but even the largest effects of individual genetic variants are still very small. However, even though any individual genetic variant makes very little difference in personality, the effects of many variants together can be more sizeable.”
Combined together, the researchers found that the genetic effects were more sizable and robust. For example, the same variants linked to extraversion in a young adult in the Netherlands also predicted extraversion in an older adult retiree in the United States. Using methods that compared relatives to one another, the team also confirmed that these genetic links weren’t actually the byproduct of a shared upbringing. Despite these genetic associations, they found that the environment still plays a major role in personality.
The researchers note how relevant the genetics of personality are to so many parts of the human experience... (MORE - no ads)