“Previous research has shown that the brain’s serotonin neurotransmitter system plays an important role in regulating emotions,” Stoltenberg said in a statement. “Our findings suggest that individual differences in social anxiety levels are influenced by this serotonin system gene and that these differences help to partially explain why some people are more likely than others to behave prosocially.”
He added that this type of research helps provide insight into how biological factors can influence the way that people interact with one another. Their study builds upon previous research that found an association between prosocial behaviors and genes that help control a person’s serotonin neurotransmitter system. They looked to find out whether or not anxiety was a component of the mechanism through which 5-HTTLPR impacts social behavior.