Being antisocial (or not) is linked to genetics, a study shows

In the midst of much research on the characteristics of human relationships, the influence of genetics on being antisocial has been discovered. I wait!

“Running away” from an acquaintance at the market or crossing the street to avoid having to say hello to someone are just a few examples of what can be considered to be someone antisocial.

The fact is that friendliness and friendliness are not always present in our lives. However, one study found that genetics can have a big influence on how social (or antisocial) we are.

Trust me: Researchers at the National University of Singapore have found that two genes (CD38 and CD157), which are considered social hormones, may be responsible for dictating whether someone is extroverted or more reserved.

What does genetics have to do with antisociality?

According to the study, people with higher levels of CD38 tend to be more sociable than others due to the amount of oxytocin that leads to the “freedom” to be more extroverted.

However, even if you are genetically predisposed to be more sociable, living full of people and commitments around you is not necessarily a victory.

This is because, in fact, the British researcher and anthropologist Robin Dunbarwho studies the impact of human interactions and relationships, reported that the size of the human brain imposes a limit on its social circle.

Dunbar, who published these findings in 1993 in the journal Behavioral and Brain Sciences but has continued to talk about “Dunbar’s Number” ever since, explains that the brain maximizes its social circle at 150 people—that’s basically all it can handle.

It’s worth noting that if that seems like a lot to you, start considering all the people you casually socialize with, from work to your Saturday morning yoga class, and you’ll find that you’ll likely surpass this number very quickly. And of course, that doesn’t mean it’s bad to form casual friendships with your coworkers or the waiter you see every morning, but if you have nearly 150 friends, research suggests you’ll “spread” those friendships, which leaves less room for connections real and stronger.

Relationships in the times of social networks

The fact is that social media has made it possible to have more than 150 “friends,” but it’s no secret that contact lists on Instagram and Facebook don’t automatically equate to social happiness.

In fact, two studies published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found just the opposite. OR First they found that people who use Facebook frequently are actually lonelier in real life. Already the other I’ve found that having a large social media network — and therefore being touchy about every new puppy, vacation, or engagement photo — can seriously dampen your mood.

But it’s no news that friendships and interactions on social media reflect real-life relationships.

In fact, when it comes to someone’s ability to create and maintain closer relationships and friendships, Dunbar’s work states that this number only reaches five people at any point in their lives. According to their findings, these people can change, but yes, their brain can only handle five significant relationships at the same time.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.