Culture, serotonin receptor polymorphism and locus of attention.
The present research examined the interaction between genes and culture as potential determinants of individuals' locus of attention. As the serotonin (5-HT) system has been associated with attentional focus and the ability to adapt to changes in reinforcement, we examined the serotonin 1A receptor polymorphism (5-HTR1A). Koreans and European Americans were genotyped and reported their chronic locus of attention. There was a significant interaction between 5-HTR1A genotype and culture in the locus of attention. Koreans reported attending to the field more than European Americans, and this cultural difference was moderated by 5-HTR1A. There was a linear pattern such that those homozygous for the G allele, which is associated with reduced ability to adapt to changes in reinforcement, more strongly endorsed the culturally reinforced mode of thinking than those homozygous for the C allele, with those heterozygous in the middle. Our findings suggest that the same genetic predisposition can result in divergent psychological outcomes, depending on an individual's cultural context.
Kim
Heejung S
HS
Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA. kim@psych.ucsb.edu
Sherman
David K
DK
Taylor
Shelley E
SE
Sasaki
Joni Y
JY
Chu
Thai Q
TQ
Ryu
Chorong
C
Suh
Eunkook M
EM
Xu
Jun
J
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A