Some men are always ready to smash objects when angry, while others manage their emotions better in similar situations. Scientists say the answer lies in both genes and the environment.
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Genes and environment make some men prone to anger (Image: persianblog) |
A specific gene variant involved in the activity of the serotonin chemical in the brain—crucial for regulating emotions and impulses—can lead some men to struggle with controlling their anger. However, this is only true for those who grew up in adverse environments.
Research found that men carrying a variant of the MAOA gene tend to exhibit higher levels of violence and defiance compared to those without this gene. However, this negative behavior only manifests in men who experienced abuse during childhood.
A team at the University of Pittsburgh, UK, studied 531 healthy white men. They discovered that those with the MAOA gene variant exhibit aggressive and angry tendencies only if they are naturally hostile and have an uneducated father. Conversely, men with the MAOA gene variant who do not display hostility, provocation, or have a father who graduated at least high school, do not easily exhibit violent behavior. The educational background of the subjects themselves did not correlate with behavior.
The results indicate that even if a child carries a violent gene, if they have loving and compassionate parents, this behavior can be managed.
“The takeaway here is that while we may not be able to change genes, we can change the nurturing environment of the child,” stated Manuck.
M.T
