Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

2.0K
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
2.0K
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

1.5K
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
1.5K
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

550
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
550
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

1.4K
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
1.4K
Egoism and Altruism01:55

Egoism and Altruism

91.3K
Voluntary behavior with the intent to help other people is called prosocial behavior. Why do people help other people? Is personal benefit such as feeling good about oneself the only reason people help one another?
91.3K
Epistasis Analysis01:09

Epistasis Analysis

4.9K
Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...
4.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Social network structure and depression by gender in rural Honduras: a cross-sectional study.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Metagenomic polymorphic toxin effector and immunity profiling predicts microbiome development and disease-related dysbiosis.

mSystems·2026
Same author

Measuring intellectual humility through situated behavior: An alternative to dispositional self-reports.

Behavior research methods·2026
Same author

Sharing meals is associated with greater wellbeing.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

On the optimal integration of intelligent agents into network systems to steer cooperation.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Modeling roles and trade-offs in multiplex networks.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Other People's Money: The Role of Reciprocity and Social Uncertainty in Decisions for Others.

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2018
Same journal

The Putative Chemosignal Androstadienone Makes Women More Generous.

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2016
Same journal

Age-Related Differences in Discounting Future Gains and Losses.

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2014
Same journal

Can Personality Type Explain Heterogeneity in Probability Distortions?

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2014
Same journal

A Model-Based fMRI Analysis with Hierarchical Bayesian Parameter Estimation.

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2013
Same journal

An Argument Against Dual Valuation System Competition: Cognitive Capacities Supporting Future Orientation Mediate Rather Than Compete With Visceral Motivations.

Journal of neuroscience, psychology, and economics·2011
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
11:51

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

14.7K

Genes, Economics, and Happiness.

Jan-Emmanuel De Neve1, Nicholas A Christakis2, James H Fowler3

  • 1School of Public Policy, University College London, and Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), London School of Economics.

Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics
|December 19, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic factors explain 33% of life satisfaction variation. A specific gene variant (5-HTTLPR) initially linked to higher happiness showed mixed results in replication, requiring further research into genetic influences on well-being.

Keywords:
5-HTTLPRgenetic associationlife satisfactionrs2020933serotonin transporter genetwin study

More Related Videos

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
08:24

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

1.4K
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
13:04

Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods

Published on: September 19, 2012

11.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
11:51

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

14.7K
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
08:24

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies

Published on: August 25, 2023

1.4K
Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods
13:04

Measuring the Subjective Value of Risky and Ambiguous Options using Experimental Economics and Functional MRI Methods

Published on: September 19, 2012

11.6K

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Molecular Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Economics

Background:

  • Subjective well-being, including life satisfaction and happiness, is known to be influenced by genetic factors.
  • Previous research has established the heritability of baseline happiness but has limited exploration into molecular genetic associations.
  • Understanding the genetic underpinnings of well-being has implications for economic theories of utility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent to which genetic variation influences subjective well-being.
  • To examine the association between a specific functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and life satisfaction.
  • To explore the role of genetic predispositions in individual differences in well-being.

Main Methods:

  • A nationally-representative twin design was utilized to estimate the heritability of life satisfaction.
  • A genetic association study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and life satisfaction.
  • Replication attempts were performed on independent samples to validate initial findings.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 33% of the variation in life satisfaction was attributed to genetic variation in the twin sample.
  • An initial association was found between the longer, more efficient variant of the 5-HTTLPR genotype and greater life satisfaction (n=2,545, p=0.012).
  • Replication studies yielded mixed results, suggesting the initial association may not be robust across different populations.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variation plays a significant role in explaining individual differences in life satisfaction.
  • The relationship between the 5-HTTLPR genotype and subjective well-being requires further investigation due to inconsistent replication.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the biological and genetic determinants of utility and well-being, with potential implications for economics.