AI Article Synopsis
- The research explored how a specific genetic variation (5-HTTLPR polymorphism) in the serotonin transporter gene impacts people's ability to express positive emotions, like laughing and smiling, objectively measured using the Facial Action Coding System.
- Three different studies involved participants of varying ages watching cartoons, film clips, and discussing marital conflicts, revealing that those with the short allele of 5-HTTLPR displayed more positive emotional expressions.
- The results were consistent across all studies and held true even when controlling for factors like age, gender, ethnicity, and depressive symptoms, suggesting the short allele may amplify emotional responses and increase sensitivity to emotional experiences.
Article Abstract
The present research examined the effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene on objectively coded positive emotional expressions (i.e., laughing and smiling behavior objectively coded using the Facial Action Coding System). Three studies with independent samples of participants were conducted. Study 1 examined young adults watching still cartoons. Study 2 examined young, middle-aged, and older adults watching a thematically ambiguous yet subtly amusing film clip. Study 3 examined middle-aged and older spouses discussing an area of marital conflict (that typically produces both positive and negative emotion). Aggregating data across studies, results showed that the short allele of 5-HTTLPR predicted heightened positive emotional expressions. Results remained stable when controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and depressive symptoms. These findings are consistent with the notion that the short allele of 5-HTTLPR functions as an emotion amplifier, which may confer heightened susceptibility to environmental conditions.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861141 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000074 | DOI Listing |
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