Are there Human Instincts?

P30: Are There Anxious Genes?

Anxiety comprises many clinical descriptions and phenotypes. A genetic predisposition to anxiety is undoubted; however, the nature and extent of that contribution is still unclear. Extensive genetic studies of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) transporter (5-HTT) gene have revealed how variation in gene expression can be correlated with anxiety phenotypes. Complete genome-wide linkage s...

Are Instincts Hardened Routines? A Radical Proposal

Routines and instincts are similar in terms of function and structure: 1) With respect to function, they economize on scarce decision-making resources, such as cognitive faculties, by making actions, within limits, inflexible vis-à-vis fluctuating environmental stimuli. As inflexible patterns, they are units that can be transferred via inheritance or social learning. 2) With respect to structur...

Public Policy, Human Instincts, and Economic Growth

p30: are there anxious genes?

anxiety comprises many clinical descriptions and phenotypes. a genetic predisposition to anxiety is undoubted; however, the nature and extent of that contribution is still unclear. extensive genetic studies of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-ht) transporter (5-htt) gene have revealed how variation in gene expression can be correlated with anxiety phenotypes. complete genome-wide linkage s...

Moral Disgust and The Tribal Instincts Hypothesis

Last changes: 11/15/10 Word Count: 6776 (main text); 9803 (total w/ footnotes)