Genetics influences our relationship with a partner

DNA and genetic inheritance also influence our tendency to find a partner.

Our love and affective life and our propensity to initiate relationships and partnerships is related to many elementsThe number of people we tend to deal with on a daily basis, our social skills, our interests, etc.

However, there are indications that show that, in addition to the aspects of our personality that are part of us because of the experiences we have lived through and the learning we have done, genetics also has an influence, genetics also plays a role..

Of course, some of these genetic aspects have to do with our appearance and the way we fit into certain canons of beauty. But our chances of being in a relationship can also be affected by genes through another route: the psychological one.

The gene that regulates the initiation of relationships

While our health and the appearance of our bodies influence the degree to which we are predisposed to have a partner, there are aspects of personality strongly influenced by our genes that also play a role.

Clearly, it is always problematic and confusing to study how genetics influences our behavior, but it is becoming increasingly likely that more will be known about the detailed ways in which our DNA predisposes us to find a mate. In fact, a 2014 study provided some clues about this link related to the world of love and dating.

Serotonin and love

There are several hormones produced by the human body that have been associated with the establishment of bonds of affection and love. Serotonin, which also acts as a neurotransmitter in our nervous system, is one of these substances.

Specifically, it has been found that an increase in serotonin levels enhances the occurrence of sexual desire and actions that express affection (such as prolonged eye gazing, cuddling or hugging). (such as gazing into each other's eyes for a long time, caressing or hugging). It also reduces levels of aggression.

The genetics behind love

A group of researchers from Peking University and Henan University set out to find out how the genes behind the mechanisms serotonin uses to influence our behavior may play a role in our chances of having a partner.

Specifically, they studied the effects that different variants (alleles) of the different variants (alleles) of the gene 5-HT1Awhich, when expressed, causes the receptors used by serotonin to trigger processes in organs and neurons to be constructed in one way or another.

The conduct of the research

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited a series of more than 500 students, from whom they took hair samples.

From these DNA samples, they saw that, indeed, the fact that each of these people had one 5-HT1A variant or another had a relationship with their sentimental situation.

People carrying an allele of the gene that was called G produced less serotonin than those with the G variant. than those with the variant called C. That meant that, if what was known about serotonin was true, people with the G allele would be less likely to have a partner.

Was this reflected in the volunteers' relationship status? Indeed, about 50% of the people with the C allele had a partner, while only 39% of the people with the G allele had a partner. this was true for only 39% of the G allele carriers..

A temperamental personality

In addition, carriers of the G variant were more prone to neuroticism and general mood swings. mood swings in general, and were less comfortable in intimate or partnered situations, compared to people with the C allele.and were less comfortable in intimate or partnered situations, compared to people with the C allele.

This inclination toward emotional instability may make it more difficult to maintain relationships or may not even be initiated at all because of the problems that arise at the beginning.

Genetics isn't everything

Of course, genetics isn't everything, although it does play a role. That means that having one or another type of DNA does not make a person predestined to have a partner or to be single; learning remains a crucial aspect.

Although theory-based discussions often treat learning and genetics as if they were different things, in reality they always act together: where there is learning, there are genes, and where there is learning, there are genes, and where there is learning, there are genes. In psychology, these genes are expressed through actions that arise, in part, because of past learning. past learning.

In the case at hand, for example, people with the G allele may be more predisposed to be single, not because their DNA prevents them from forming a relationship, but because they are more likely to be single. not because their DNA prevents them from forming a relationship, but because through learning they see that they are more likely to be single.but because through learning they see that potential partners tend not to fit their personality, which makes them learn not to seek their satisfaction by looking for a partner at all costs.

In this sense, the fact of not having a partner is a decision influenced by genes, but it is not an inevitable station of destiny; it is simply the result of a balance of costs and benefits.