Creatures of Habit: a study on genes, personality, and behaviour
Study code
NBR251
Lead researcher
Professor Karen Ersche
Study type
Online
Institution or company
Cambridge University, Department of Psychiatry
Researcher type
Academic
Speciality area
Cross-cutting
Summary
Problem: Global challenges such as climate change, obesity or big data affect all of us because they require us to change the way we live. Separating waste, changing passwords regularly or taking the stairs rather than the lift are just some examples of changes to some of our most ingrained behaviours. Many of us struggle to adjust our daily routines; even those of us with strong willpower. This is because deliberate and habitual behaviours are controlled by different parts of the brain. Genetic influences determine how much of the brain chemical dopamine is available in these different parts of the brain and which is more likely to control our behaviour. These genetic variations can make us either more level-headed or more like a ‘creature of habit’; and depending on what type of person we are, we need a different strategy to break our ingrained behaviours.
Method: We have developed a computer game to find out whether people are more level-headed or can be better described as ‘creatures of habit’. The game is called fishing expedition, teaching participants the ropes of fishing using two types of strategies. After a period of training, we will test which strategy participants use when they are given the choice. Thanks to the NIHR BioResource, we can select our participants based on their genetic make up, which helps us to find out which of the two brain systems oversees their behaviour (i.e. the one that makes people more level-headed or more habitually-driven).
Outcome: Insights from this study will help us tailor behavioural interventions more closely to people’s personal preferences and needs. These interventions may not only support healthy people to break bad habits they may have, but also help patients who have developed behaviour patterns that they find particularly difficult to control, for example drug-taking habits. Understanding the genetic influences on the way be behave will be particularly important for the development of new medicines for people breaking the vicious circle of addiction.