The Genetic Basis of Perfect Pitch
Perfect pitch has a reputation as this almost mythical musical gift, the ability to hear a random note and instantly name it, no reference tone required. It shows up in …
The Genetic Link to Being Highly Sensitive to Criticism
Some people can hear a piece of critical feedback, nod, adjust course, and move on within minutes. Others replay the same comment for the rest of the day, or even …
The Genetic Roots of Being a Natural Optimist (or Pessimist)
Some people wake up expecting the day to go reasonably well, and when something goes wrong, they treat it as a temporary bump rather than a sign of things to …
The Genetics of Novelty-Seeking: Why Some People Crave New Experiences
Some people can’t walk past a new restaurant without wanting to try it, book a trip somewhere they’ve never been just because they haven’t been there, or say yes to …
The Genetics of Being Easily Startled
A door slams, a car backfires, or someone sneaks up behind you in the kitchen, and while one person barely flinches, another practically launches out of their chair, heart pounding …
The Genetics of Being a “Morning Person” in Mood, Not Just Sleep
Chronotype, meaning whether someone naturally leans toward mornings or nights, usually gets discussed purely in terms of sleep timing: when you fall asleep, when you wake up, when you feel …