Do cat parasites in human hosts shape cultures worldwide?

[swag]

The author of one study thinks so:

. . .

Approximately one-quarter of Americans host a parasite that has been shown to affect personality in both rodents and humans. According to a recent study, this single-celled organism may be able to shape entire cultures.

In a paper published in the online edition of Proceedings of the Royal Society, United States Geological Survey researcher Kevin Lafferty argues that a significant factor in why some countries exhibit higher levels of neuroticism than others may be the prevalence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The study also indicates that it may influence a society's preference for strict laws, an expression of uncertainty avoidance, and its valuation of 'masculine' priorities such as competitiveness and financial success over 'feminine' values like relationship-building.

"Toxoplasma appears to explain 30% of the variation in neuroticism among countries, 15% of the uncertainty avoidance among Western nations and 30% of the sex role differences among Western nations," Lafferty said via e-mail.

Lafferty analyzed preexisting data on Toxoplasma prevalence and mean trait levels in 39 countries. He found a significant linear correlation between latent Toxoplasma prevalence and neuroticism with a few outliers, including the unusually neurotic nations of Hungary and China and the notably easygoing Turkey.

Links between Toxoplasma, uncertainty avoidance and concerns about masculinity initially appeared to be insignificant but later emerged when Lafferty focused on Western nations.

. . . more

[crim son]

1. Before I read any more

what is "neuroticism"? on edit: the state of being neurotic?

[swag]

3. Right,

as though "neurotic" were some valid category.

That makes the study even more interesting.

[crim son]

5. Are you saying I'm not neurotic?

Thanx! :D

[swag]

6. If you dream it, you can be it!

[crim son]

8. (Grimly) ain't it the truth? n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Hmm. After reading this article I have to wonder

whether being infected with Toxoplasma might make one less afraid of cats, and therefore more susceptible to being eaten by them?

[swag]

4. Well said.

Infection may have its advantages.

[idgiehkt]

7. for a moment I thought this was the tongue twister thread...

I don't want to think about things I cant' see, I have enough worries over the ones that I can see.

[swag]

9. Sounds to me like you're being controlled by cat parasites.

[idgiehkt]

10. at least that's something.

:hi:

[swag]

11. Cat parasites will tell us what to do!

[swag]

12. A cat parasite made me kick this thread.

[bettyellen]

15. you know parasites are a major obsession of mine. it's like horton hears a

who. size matters not. the meek are not inheriting the earth, they are already running things.
this is why cats always stick their arses in our faces, got toxiplamosis yet? fine, have a little more, on me.
parasites will replace twinkies as the new defense strategy.

[anarch]

13. yes, cats in human form control the world! I've been saying it for years,

thank God somebody has finally validated my theory! Oh, wait, that's not exactly what that says, is it...n/m

[billyskank]

14. Thought this sounded like Stargate SG-1 for a minute

[bettyellen]

16. help me. please.....caindy's got a gun to my head.

something funny is happening to me....
all my posts belong to them now...

[swag]

17. NO HOPE FOR YOU! WE DEMAND THE MOIST FOOD!

[Brewman_Jax]

18. All your food are belong to us

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

19. Parasites in human *form* certainly do.

[RedCloud]

20. My Ga'ould larva says no

He/she says we humans ought not to concern ourselves with parasites, only worship them.