The Biogeographic Origins of Novelty-Seeking Traits

Arbeitspapier

This paper empirically investigates the biogeographic determinants of the human DRD4 exon III locus, a particular gene variant associated with the human personality trait of novelty-seeking behavior. Providing a novel compilation of worldwide DRD4 exon III allele frequencies in a large sample of indigenous populations around the world, this study employs population-specific biogeographic characteristics using hig h-resolution geospatial data. The estimates suggest that migratory distance from East Africa naturally selects for specific novelty-seeking traits, even controlling for a broad range of biogeographic determinants. Notably, land suitability for pastoral nomadism is significantly related to DRD4 exon III diversity. This result provides further credence to the general observation that novelty-seeking traits are quite common in nomadic populations, explaining why some societies failed to settle and to develop centralized states.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Oldenburg Discussion Papers in Economics ; No. V-366-14

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic History: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Extractive Industries: General, International, or Comparative ; Economic Development: General ; Cultural Economics; Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology: General
• Subject: Novelty-Seeking Behavior ; Entrepreneurial Traits ; Biogeography ; Out of Africa Hypothesis ; Gene-Culture Co-Evolution ; Natural Selection

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gören, Erkan
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics
• (where): Oldenburg
• (when): 2014

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/105054
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET