How Does DNA Influence the Way We Respond to Art?
Recent research reveals that the sensation of ‘goosebumps’ that appears when someone enjoys music or art is related to genetic factors. Emotional reactions have long been considered a matter of personal taste, but this research suggests that an individual’s DNA influences how they respond to art.
The research was led by Giacomo Bignardi from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics. The research team analysed genetic data and survey results from thousands of participants in the LifeLines project in the northern Netherlands.
The results of the study show that the ‘goosebumps’ response to aesthetic experiences does not occur randomly. Individuals with similar genetic make-up tend to have similar tendencies in experiencing this sensation. This finding reinforces the idea that human aesthetic experiences are also shaped by biological aspects.
However, Bignardi emphasises that genetics is not the only determining factor. He states that personal experiences, practice, memory, and social context also contribute to a person’s emotional response.
‘This finding shows that genetics can offer an additional way to better understand why people sometimes experience the same sensory world in a very different way,’ Bignardi said in his study.
The research, which has been published in the journal PLOS Genetics, also highlights the role of the nervous system and emotions in triggering this sensation. In the experiments conducted, researchers used musical works that are believed to increase the release of dopamine in the brain.
When dopamine and other chemicals increase, the auditory signals sent to the brain reach their peak and trigger a ‘goosebumps’ reaction in some participants.
However, the researchers acknowledge that there are limitations to this study. The research sample is still limited and does not fully represent the global population. In addition to DNA and increased dopamine, it is possible that other variables also contribute to the emergence of the ‘goosebumps’ sensation when enjoying art. (H-4)