Question

Dora has recently started working on a research study that hypothesizes that people who have a defect in a specific gene may have a predisposition to depression. As a second hypothesis in the study, the researcher is studying the impact of a significant lack of social support in triggering the onset of depression in such people. If Dora’s research successfully validates both hypotheses, which of the following conclusion may be drawn?

Answer 1

The conclusion that can be drawn in this case is that the defective gene along with the lack of social support produce a heightened risk of depression. This is a study focused on the gene-environment interaction. Nature vs nurture is a very important scientific debate. It states that differences regarding a trait are due either to genetic differences or environmental differences. However, recent discoveries led scientists into concluding that nearly all traits are influenced both by environment and genetics. In this example, if these hypotheses are both validated, then Dora can conclude that there is an environmental risk factor for developing depression (lack of social support). People who have the defective gene (from the first hypothesis), they have inherited the sensitivity to this environmental risk factor and they are more prone to develop depression if they are exposed to this environmental condition.