Oxytocin receptor / empathy tendency

OXTR is the receptor for oxytocin, a hormone tied to bonding and social behavior. A much-discussed variant has been weakly linked to empathy, but the evidence is shaky, so treat it as fun rather than fact.

Possible results

Slightly lower empathy. You have two A copies of the oxytocin-receptor gene OXTR. Some studies have tied this to slightly lower scores on empathy or stress-handling measures, but the research is shaky and inconsistent, so treat it as a fun footnote rather than a real readout of your personality.

Typical empathy. You carry one A and one G copy of the oxytocin-receptor gene. This sits between the versions some studies have linked to social behavior, but the evidence is weak overall, so don't read much into it.

Slightly higher empathy. You have two G copies of the oxytocin-receptor gene OXTR, which a few studies have linked to slightly higher empathy or sociability. The research is contested and the effect, if real, is tiny, so enjoy it as trivia rather than fact.

Evidence & sources

Across global populations, about 47% of people carry two copies of this variant, and about 11% carry none.

Related

BDNF memory & stress variant (Val66Met) · Coffee consumption · COMT "warrior vs worrier" (stress & dopamine) · Dopamine reward sensitivity (DRD2 Taq1A) · Morning vs evening preference (CLOCK) · Nicotine dependence / cigarettes per day