Trust enables the proper functioning of a society, from interpersonal relationships to the political field. According to a new study using twin data, about 33% of the variation in confidence between individuals is attributed to our genes.
The propensity to trust could be transmitted from parent to child, whether in social relationships or in politics. An Australian study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization suggests that while genetic factors contribute approximately 33% to the variation in trust levels observed between individuals, they are not the only ones. “ It is essential to recognize that environmental factors such as education, cultural norms and life experiences all interact with predispositionspredispositions genetics to influence an individual’s confidence », Reports a press release.
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For the study, researchers compared data from 1,120 twins, including 401 pairs of identical twins and 159 pairs of “fraternal” twins. They used survey results to gauge general trust and confidence in policies. Behavioral aspects of trust were measured using a game in which participants were asked to sharemoneymoney with another person.
Trust, the basis of everything
“ Trust and reliability are the essential foundations for the proper functioning of any relationship and society as a whole. », Write the authors. Indeed, several areas are concerned: couple relationships, the success of political parties or businesses, etc. The research highlights that trust varies across domains, indicating that a person’s level of trust in a social context may be different from that in political institutions.
