Heejung Kim - US grants

Although public interest in genes and genotyping is increasing, much of the public discourse on genetics centers on the simplistic notion that there is a clear gene that can be directly linked to specific psychological or behavioral tendencies (e.g. ?The Shyness Gene?). This simplistic understanding of the role of genes can be particularly problematic when it is associated with group differences, such as cultural and racial differences, as such a view can lead to thinking that many observed psychological and behavioral differences are innate and fixed. The influence of genes on the shaping of everyday behaviors is far from simple and how social and cultural factors impact the behavioral expression of genes is still largely unknown. The present research examines how culture might influence the way in which particular genes lead to specific patterns of behaviors. Previous research has found that there are large differences in how people rely on social support to cope with their stress. That is, European Americans tend to seek social support more explicitly and directly than Asians/Asian Americans, who prefer more indirect and implicit social support. Previous research has also found that particular genes (e.g., serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism) can influence psychological predispositions (e.g., how strongly a person reacts to stress). Building on these findings, this research examines whether people with the same genetic predisposition actually behave in largely different manners, if they are exposed to different cultural norms and expectations. The research will thus investigate whether and how culture might diversify the psychological and behavioral expression of genes. More specifically, the present research will examine: 1) how specific genes are linked to psychological proneness to stress reactivity and social affiliation; 2) how culture interacts with these specific genes to produce the culturally divergent ways in which people use social support; and 3) how the culturally specific patterns of social support behavior of Asians change as they acculturate to the U.S. The studies will combine genetic analysis with multiple psychological methods, such as large survey design, lab experiment, and daily diary.

Bridging the fields of psychology, biology, and anthropology, this program of research aims to create a new interdisciplinary theoretical framework for understanding cross-cultural and cross-ethnic behavioral variation. This program of research, an international collaboration between researchers in the United States and the Republic of Korea, will also foster opportunities for researchers and students to be exposed to and trained in theoretical and technical approaches in the different disciplines. Finally, this program of research will contribute to a scientific pool of knowledge that can be utilized in educating the public regarding the role of genes in the determination of human behaviors and promoting a more sophisticated understanding of group differences.

Dr. Heejung Kim and colleagues (University of California, Santa Barbara) investigate the role of culture, as a form of social environment, in the behavioral expression of genes. Specifically, in this research, they examines the dynamic interplay of socio-cultural and genetic factors, and their effects on socio-emotional processes such as emotional support seeking, emotion regulation, and emotional attention, in order to understand the psychological and biological mechanisms underlying emotional responses. The proposal will focus on the oxytocin receptor polymorphism (OXTR), a genetic locus thought to be associated with socio-emotional sensitivity, and its role in social behavior in East Asian and U.S. cultural contexts. The researchers examine whether OXTR variants, as well as experimentally manipulated oxytocin levels, are related to the ability to accurately detect others' mental and emotional states, and whether this ability is related to the tendency of individuals to engage in culturally appropriate social behaviors.

Most conversations about the role of genes typically center on the idea that a gene is linked to a particular behavior. In the context of cultural, racial, gender, or other group differences, this simplistic understanding about the role of genes can lead to thinking that group differences are fixed or immutable. The model of gene-culture interaction advanced in this research provides a more sophisticated perspective by specifying the pathway by which socio-cultural factors can shape the behavioral outcomes of genetic predispositions. Identifying the psychological and biological mechanisms of gene-culture interaction will advance the public understanding of the complex but fascinating interaction between "nature" and "nurture" that produces diversity in human behavior. The work will also support the training and education of students.

Ebola is one of the deadliest contagious diseases to emerge into the public consciousness in recent years. Accompanied by truly gruesome and deadly images, it has been a source of much fear, xenophobia, and social division across the world. While it makes obvious sense to increase some vigilance and engage in self-protective health behaviors, most health experts maintain that the actual risk of contracting Ebola is extremely low, at least outside of the directly affected regions in West Africa. Yet, the degree to which people respond to the potential risk is vastly disproportionate to the actual risk. Thus, in many parts of the world, the actual costs of Ebola are not the disease itself, but the negative psychological and behavioral effects - both individual and social - that are motivated by fear. Fear and social division are not only consequences of Ebola, but they have the potential to transform and perpetuate negative social consequences. Although the US is currently at low risk for Ebola contagion, the potential costs of individual distress as well as restrictive group protection behaviors are real. The present research proposes a theoretically-based intervention to attenuate these negative effects. Moreover, beyond the current Ebola concern, the knowledge gained from this research will be relevant to other, continually occurring, international threats of contagious diseases by potentially mitigating their psychological and social costs. This project was submitted in response to NSF 15-006 Dear Colleague Letter on the Ebola Virus.

This research aims to understand the psychological mechanism of fear-driven individual and social consequences. Drawing from the knowledge-base of social, cultural, and health psychology, two studies using large nationally representative samples will focus on two distinct responses to disease-related fear: 1) anxiety and stress that are detrimental to individual well-being; and 2) manifestations of group-protection to minimize risk. The project will investigate whether cultural orientation (individualism vs. collectivism within the US) will influence which psychological response set is most likely. The prediction is that individualists will be more concerned with self-protection, and thus, are more likely to experience disproportionate anxiety and stress, whereas collectivists will be more concerned with group protection. Based on this model, the proposed research will also test the effectiveness of psychological interventions (self- and group-affirmation) to address the threat and reduce the psychological and social costs of the specter of Ebola.

Understanding the basic human motives that drive behavior has been a question of great historical significance in psychology. Yet, an integrative theory, allowing for different sociocultural and individual factors that might prioritize one kind of motive over another, is still missing. This project aims to develop a theoretical model of the sociocultural determinants of human motives. To develop a powerful testbed, with strong broader impacts, the research examines why and how individual actions are motivated in response to environmental challenges. Environmental crises such as pollution or the depletion of natural resources pose some of the greatest collective challenges faced by society today. Responses of individuals to these challenges have critical consequences. By understanding what drives people's actions in this context, progress will be made in addressing a fundamental question about human behavior. The research is expected to have wide impact across a number of scholarly disciplines, with important implications for public policy, education and philanthropy.

The theory proposes that different sociocultural and individual factors orient people towards more internal and personal reasons or toward more external and social reasons for their actions. The factors that orient people toward more internal and personal reasons for their actions include individualistic values, high socioeconomic status, and social belonging. The factors that orient people toward more external and social reasons for their actions include collectivistic values, low socioeconomic status, and social isolation. The research examines the extent to which environmental beliefs versus perceived environmental norms drive pro-environmental behaviors, and how this differs for people from a wide range of personal experiences and backgrounds. The explanatory role of sense of control and attention allocation is also investigated. The studies use diverse methodologies including a nationally representative study of Americans, a laboratory behavioral study, a longitudinal study of daily environmental behaviors, and a community field experiment at local grocery stores assessing shopping behavior. The new theoretical model can also be used to understand why and how individual actions are motivated in response to a broad range of collective challenges, including widespread infectious disease and the threat of terrorism.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.