Friday, December 14, 2007
It's Okay, Scrooge.
Around this time of year, we recall the great Charles Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol", and the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge.
Scrooge managed to find his heart and his generosity by the story's end, but genetics tells us that he probably had some trouble keeping the altruism rolling some time later.
Generosity is apparently genetically programmed - hard wired in us from the get-go. The gene AVPR1 produces a hormone known as Vasopressin, which is implicated in social bonding and altruism. Check out the journal Genes, Brain and Behavior for more or click this .
I think genetics play an important role in psychology. Such information can help us to understand why change may be difficult for some and perhaps easier for others. In understanding how the body works in conjunction with our minds can take some of the stigma out of seeking treatment - and offer a more realistic approach to behavior.
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25 comments:
"Such information can help us to understand why change may be difficult for some and perhaps easier for others."
Whoever belongs with the " others" I hate you! lol just kidding..Change is a huge problem for me..I always struggled with that. I believe not changing is safe and that's why were stuck..Oye! I think I'm so off of your topic Deb...To get back on Topic..I am definatley not a scrooge...I'm very much a giver.
Have a great weekend Deb..And be safe if your going to be getting pounded with snow as we are.
Hugs~ xo
Very interesting.
I volunteer to be a guinnea pig!
This is fascinating, never heard of it before!
The only reason I am Bah Humbug this holiday season is because I am broke!
Very topical post! And interesting.
Great post. I'm not a scrooge, exactly, but I can never get my act together in time to be very Christmassy. Maybe I should just switch to eastern orthodox Christmas, it occurs in January, that might be more convenient. ;)
generosity gene? maybe that does explain it.
pondering....
I am often stunned by how ungenerous some can be. We have a Dollar Tree tore that has a toys for tots box. Everything in the store is a dollar. A single dollar. During the last months of each year, they keep a basket of possibilities right there to choose from and you can spend a dollar for a kid. If you look carefully, there are other things to buy.
Nerf-like foot balls, cuddly bears, mirrors... kids love to look at themselves!!
I have seen more people say not right now than I have seen participate..
:(
it makes me sad
anyway
I think I am just missing the good ones, because I do thing that more people are generous than not.
now..
How are you? Are you ready for christmas?
I know that this can be a tough time of year. there have been years past when I have barely made it through, myself......Not this year!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to enjoy every single minute. I hope that you do too...
Dear Heidi,
There are those who can lopse weight easily, quit an addiction easily, change their thinking more easily than others. I do think genetics plays a role in it - as does alot of other life experience. I get envious too! No snow here...but lotsa rain.
Dear SCott,
I found it interesting - as I always do about genetics.
Dear Palmtree,
LOL!!
Dear Barbara,
I never heard of it either. Read the breaking news story and then researched it some more before writing the post.
Dear Marie,
I totally get that.
Dear Casdok,
Topical indeed.
Dear MWWAK,
Definitely shoot for the Orthodox Christmas. I think you're onto something there ;)
Dear KAth,
I have seen that too. We have a dollar store as well!!! And the toys for tots bin around town are not as full as I would love it to be - but hard times tend to make us as a society less giving. I am a-l-m-o-s-t ready for Chirstmas.
~Deb
Bah humbug... ;o)
I'll have to have hubby (the original bah-humbug) genetically rewired! :)
we arent bah humbug unless, you .........drink our passion pop eat our food, leave a mess, fart at our table and think its funny, etc etc all these things are stored in our brain for next year and the presents we shall give you as reflective your personality at our chrsitmas table so there
Maybe we can implant the "giving gene" into the government eh? ;-)
Great Post..I am a giver but am spending more $ on shipping since I am buying online. I hate the malls, so I opt for the extra shipping way. I would save tons if I only could get my butt into gear and go to the mall before the Christmas rush.
Maybe next year.
So true, Deb, I think genetics plays a huge part in the ability to change.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Bah, humbug! Just kidding, dear. I think the role of genetics in mental health is huge. However, in the case of Scrooge it is suggested he was also very much a product of his rejection as a child after his mother died giving birth to him, and his subsequent shunning by his father. I like to think he overcame that stuff.
Hi Dr. Deb,
Yes, maybe our character has been genetically ingrained in us but we can changed our character if there is a genuine change of heart in us. Thanks for the wonderful post. God bless and have a wonderful and pleasant holiday season.
Hmmm, that's pretty interesting !!
Just dropping by, though, to say HI, and to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and Happy New Year.
Hope to drop by and visit more often in the new year ... time has been getting away from me this year.
Take care, hugs, Meow xx
I feel more like Bob Cratchet than Scrooge...if I wasn't a poor student and had more time I would be able to be as generous as I actually feel!
Dear BB,
LOL!
Dear HP,
My hubby too!
Dear JIP,
I know what you mean. I keep count too.
Dear Jade,
And the empathy gene. My goodness they sure need a lot of that there.
Dear Nancy,
Go to Upromise, Dealcatcher or other online pormotion code wesbites and and click on Free Shipping. Many places have that as a perk.
Dear Donna,
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Dear Ian,
There is alot of backstory to the Dickens' character, and I also hold in my heart that his change was true and longstanding. But just in case, genetics can help him not feel so bad,;)
Dear Mel,
I do believe change can be easier for some than others, but I get what you are saying.
Dear Meow,
Hi! So happyh to see you here. I know how busy you've been. Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Dear Fallen,
Well stated - and I so get what you mean. I wish you a restful break from class over the holidays.
~Deb
When I chose a Christmas story for my adult student, I used O Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" because it is so much more personal to me than Dicken's micro-epic. She liked it, felt it spoke to her.
http://paxnortona.notfrisco2.com
I am not 100% sure that I beleive this can be put down to genetics. I guess its back to the old nature/nuture debate. Is it nature/genetics or is it nurture some thing we were taught. Personally I think generosity is something you are taught.
I learnt generosity from those who were generous with me.
Ah Dr. Deb, I KNEW you when! Jeepers look at all your nominations:) congrats. But I was here when you started this blog:) hahahahahaha. Take care, Renee
Dear Joel,
The Gift of The Magi *is* a special story.
Dear S'onnie,
Nature/Nuture is certainly there for sure. The point of the post was my opeinion highlighting why certain issues may be easier or harder for us. Genetics may explain why some of us can't do things as readily.
Dear Renee,
Where are you???? Can I find you at a blog? Hope you are well. xoxox
~Deb
I feel like quite a "Scrooge" this time of year quite often. I'm actually a very generous person, but I just hate Christmas because it carries so many triggers from the past.
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