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"There has still been conjecture over how much variation is caused by genetics and how much is caused by environmental factors — what people call nature versus nurture.Dr Benyamin explained the study's results:
We wanted to resolve that by revisiting almost all the genetic twin studies conducted over the past 50 years, and comparing all of them together.
"...there is overwhelming evidence that both genetic and environmental factors can influence traits and diseases.
What is comforting is that, on average, about 50 per cent of individual differences are genetic and 50 per cent are environmental.
The findings show that we need to look at ourselves outside of a view of nature versus nurture, and instead look at it as nature and nurture."
Anxiety, one of the most common mental health problems, is already well-known to have a strong genetic component."Our research shows that even if you have had to cope with high levels of anxiety yourself, it is not inevitable that this will follow in your children.
There are many things that can be done at home to prevent or reduce anxiety in children and adolescents.
Whilst a natural tendency when your child is anxious is to try to protect them, it can be more helpful to support them in taking small age-appropriate risks.
This will teach them that the world is generally a safe place and they can manage situations that initially seem stressful, developing their sense of mastery and in turn promoting resilience."
In a recent global survey, Curtis asked people in five places—India, the Netherlands, Britain, the West African country of Burkina Faso, and Athens International Airport—to describe what disgusts them. The results revealed some regional variations: "Lower castes" and "kissing in public" aroused disgust in India, whereas the British were particularly repulsed by dead sparrows and cruelty to horses; politicians and dog saliva revolted the Dutch, while airport travelers named everything from "wet people" to being eaten alive by insects. Yet it was the common threads that intrigued Curtis. Every region considered feces disgusting, while vomit, sweat, spittle, blood, pus, and sexual fluids inspired nearly universal loathing, closely followed by body parts and animals such as pigs, rats, maggots, worms, lice, and flies.Perhaps only those who can see beyond these biological limits can appreciate a science of animal consciousness, or consciousness at all. Check out:
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The intelligence of self observation and self-awareness