The study also found that genes had a stronger influence on males than females (50% vs. 40%) and that home upbringing had a stronger influence on females (40% vs. 0%). This suggests parents may watch over the behavior of daughters more carefully than they do for their sons.
In previous research Rushton has shown that genes influence people's levels of altruism and aggression--including feelings of empathy like enjoying watching people open presents and acts of violence such as fighting with a weapon. Rushton has also demonstrated that the male sex hormone testosterone sets the levels of aggression and altruism.
When asked about his findings Prof. Rushton noted, "They join a host of recent research in showing that both genes and upbringing influence almost every human behavior. It is especially interesting to see that this applies to moral attitudes."
Pete's Points
Well what can we learn from this?Let's see - would it be true to say that the current crop of politicians running the White House have high levels of testosterone? After all they are all unbelievably aggressive and only have great pretensions to altruism.
The study would also help to explain the behaviour of the Bush clan in Washington as well as in Florida - Like father like sons?
It would also be interesting to explore the family backgrounds of the Vice President, Defence Secretary and various associates.
I wonder if what they are doing in their policies and practices can be explained by "nature or nurture" explanations of human behaviour?
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