🌅 Personality Is Partly Genetic

SOURCE

Schwaba et al. (2026)

WHAT TO KNOW

• A new study by an international team of researchers identified 1,260 common genetic variants associated with one or more of the “Big Five” personality traits—extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience—including 824 variants that hadn’t been previously linked to any trait. The newly identified associations represent a 3x to 43x increase from the most recent findings for each trait. The study included survey responses and DNA samples from more than 1 million people across 46 study cohorts, producing what the team says is by far the largest analysis of its kind.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Scientists have long known that genetics influences personality traits, at least to some degree. However, prior to the present study, the specific genetic pathways that nudge a person in one direction or another weren’t clear. The study also found that while individual genetic links to personality are small—accounting for only between 5% to 16% of personality differences—they're less likely to be skewed by factors like shared family background than comparable genetic links to education or income. Still, the researchers say the study doesn't mean an individual’s personality can be discerned by looking at their genetic profile; rather, it suggests genetics can help discern patterns in personality across whole populations.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• Interestingly, the researchers also found specific genetic variations were associated with different health and life outcomes. For example, people with variants linked to extroversion were more likely to be infected with COVID early in the pandemic, while those with variants linked to agreeableness were less likely to get in trouble at school. People with genes linked to conscientiousness also had less substance use and more frequently played sports. Individuals with genetic profiles linked to a greater openness to new experience tended to live in cities, while those with greater neuroticism gravitated toward suburbs.