Variability in the expression and perception of positive affect in human infancy
Tobias Grossmann1, Adrienne Wood1
1Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|September 27, 2023
Summary
Genetic variations in the oxytocin system influence how infants express positive emotions. This impacts their brain
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neurogenetics
- Social neuroscience
Background:
- Positive emotions are crucial for social development and behavior.
- The oxytocin system plays a role in social bonding and emotional regulation.
- Individual differences in emotional expression emerge early in infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between genetic variations in the oxytocin system and the expression of positive affect in infants.
- To explore the neurobiological underpinnings of individual differences in positive emotional displays.
Main Methods:
- Examined genetic variation in CD38 (rs3796863), associated with oxytocin release.
- Assessed positive affective displays (smiling, laughter) in 7-month-old infants using parent-report measures.
- Measured infant brain responses in the right inferior frontal cortex using EEG when viewing smiles.
Main Results:
- Infants with specific CD38 genetic variations showed higher rates of positive emotional expression.
- Increased positive affect was correlated with enhanced brain activity in the right inferior frontal cortex when viewing smiles.
- These findings suggest a genetic influence on the perception-action coupling of positive social cues.
Conclusions:
- Genetic variability in the oxytocin system influences infant positive affect expression.
- Early-life genetic factors are associated with individual differences in perceiving positive social cues.
- This research sheds light on the neurobiological basis of positive emotion variability in infancy.
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