~ Reading Thoughts & Emotions

of others through their eyes. ~

A new study suggests that our DNA influences our ability to read a person's thoughts and emotions from looking at their eyes.

Twenty years ago, a team of scientists at the University of Cambridge developed a test of 'cognitive empathy' called the 'Reading the Mind in the Eyes' Test (or the Eyes Test, for short).  This revealed that people can rapidly interpret what another person is thinking or feeling from looking at their eyes alone.  It also showed that some of us are better at this than others, and that women on average score better on this test than men.

Do you believe that you can read someone else's mind by looking at their eyes?

Through the Study that was done, the team confirmed that our genes influence performance on the Eyes Test, and went further to identify genetic variants on chromosome 3 in women that are associated with their ability to "read the mind in the eyes."

Previous studies have found that people with autism and anorexia tend to score lower on the Eyes Test.  The team found that genetic variants that contribute to higher scores on the Eyes Test also increase the risk for anorexia, but not autism.  They speculate that this may be because autism involves both social and non-social traits, and this test only measures a social trait.

Varun Warrier says: "This is the largest ever study of this test of cognitive empathy in the world.  This is also the first study to attempt to correlate performance on this test with variation in the human genome.  This is an important step forward for the field of social neuroscience and adds one more piece to the puzzle of what may cause variation in cognitive empathy."

Professor Bourgeron adds:  "This new study demonstrates that empathy is partly genetic, but we should not lose sight of other important social factors such as early upbringing and postnatal experience."

Through the Eyes of a baby

What do you believe your baby sees when looking into your eyes?  What do you believe babies witness in their little lives that affect the way they see others and the world at large?

Journal Notes

The questions about babies are questions for you to think about and use to write your Journal Notes on for today.

Can you remember anything from your youth that you witnessed that still remains in your mind many years later?

Journal your thoughts . . .

See you in the next Blog Session!

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

© Copyright - René Allen - JUNE 2017 - All Rights Reserved