Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/105054 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
Oldenburg Discussion Papers in Economics No. V-366-14
Publisher: 
University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics, Oldenburg
Abstract: 
This paper empirically investigates the biogeographic determinants of the human DRD4 exon III locus, a particular gene variant associated with the human personality trait of novelty-seeking behavior. Providing a novel compilation of worldwide DRD4 exon III allele frequencies in a large sample of indigenous populations around the world, this study employs population-specific biogeographic characteristics using hig h-resolution geospatial data. The estimates suggest that migratory distance from East Africa naturally selects for specific novelty-seeking traits, even controlling for a broad range of biogeographic determinants. Notably, land suitability for pastoral nomadism is significantly related to DRD4 exon III diversity. This result provides further credence to the general observation that novelty-seeking traits are quite common in nomadic populations, explaining why some societies failed to settle and to develop centralized states.
Subjects: 
Novelty-Seeking Behavior
Entrepreneurial Traits
Biogeography
Out of Africa Hypothesis
Gene-Culture Co-Evolution
Natural Selection
JEL: 
N50
O10
Z10
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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