Are Some People Naturally Nicer Than Others?

[rupert333]

Yes. Here are the brain chemicals involved. There is more to it but let's face it, if you are lucky to have higher levels of these(yep, some of us have higher levels than others) you are more likely to be a nice person...and get into heaven. A stacked deck?

1. Oxytocin (the strongest candidate for "niceness" and social bonding)

• Often called the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone".
• It promotes trust, empathy, generosity, social bonding, and emotional recognition.
• People with higher natural oxytocin levels (or more sensitive oxytocin receptors due to genetic variations like in the OXTR gene) tend to be more prosocial, warm, trusting, and empathetic. They form stronger attachments and show more compassion.
  
  2. Serotonin
  
  • Helps regulate mood, impulse control, and social behavior.
  • Higher serotonin function is associated with greater agreeableness, reduced aggression/quarrelsomeness, and more positive, cooperative social interactions.
  • 
    
  • 3. Dopamine
    • Central to the brain's reward system.
    • Variations in dopamine-related genes influence extraversion — the tendency to be outgoing, sociable, and energized by social interaction.
    • Higher dopamine sensitivity in certain pathways can make people seek out and enjoy social rewards more, leading to more gregarious, talkative, and socially motivated behavior.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Yes. Here are the brain chemicals involved...

Physical and mental health work in conjunction with each other.
i.e. you can't have one without the other

I say that, because I believe one can come to the wrong conclusions about how physiology
could be all that matters.

 

[TheLightWithin]

I would consider more closely defining what is meant by "nice" - do you actually mean friendly, or kind, or respectful, or something else? Even those terms would need to be defined for greater clarity.

 

[Clobbernocky]

Nice ain't a nice word anymore! Lol.

Nice used to mean respect, and care for others. Now it means two different things: a pathetic method for trying to get what you want from them others, and the other is one who is a natural pushover.

It just proves that human nature is all about power, ego and vanity.

 

[wil]

It is learned, it is taught, it is indoctrination...

When one is young it is your parents, it is your expectations and experiences, it js your role models and peers.

As you age and get into your twenties it is upto you to change and become who you want to be. There are consequences to your choices and you can choose to become Dali lama like or a get off my lawn bigot.

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

Most likely, as with all things people have been endowed with different capacities, but I would think it would boil down to individual choices that would decide the ultimate standard implemented.

The person more tuned to be nice, might not choose to be the nicest person, the one least tuned to be nice, maybe the person who chooses to be the best they can.

Regards Tony

 

[Tony Bristow-Stagg]

It is learned, it is taught, it is indoctrination...

When one is young it is your parents, it is your expectations and experiences, it js your role models and peers.

As you age and get into your twenties it is upto you to change and become who you want to be. There are consequences to your choices and you can choose to become Dali lama like or a get off my lawn bigot.

Nature and nurture does play a significant part in our choices. Role models for young children are critical in enabling our capacities.

Regards Tony

 

[Thomas]

I would consider more closely defining what is meant by "nice" ...

Were you to be very old, like me ... then you'd recall the term entered English around the early 1300s, from the Old French nice, from the Latin nescius, meaning 'ignorant', 'not knowing', composed of ne- 'not' and sciō 'to know'.

For nearly a century, it was used as an insult to describe someone who was silly or foolish. Someone lacking common sense.

Then, 1400s, it shifted to mean 'fussy', 'fastidious', someone overly particular about details.
1500s, it evolved again to describe someone as 'dainty' or 'delicate', someone precise in appearance and behaviour.
1800s, to signify 'agreeable' or 'delightful'.
1900s, currently connoting 'being kind', 'thoughtful', or 'pleasant'.

I do wish you'd make your minds up.

 

[Thomas]

but let's face it, if you are lucky to have higher levels of these(yep, some of us have higher levels than others) you are more likely to be a nice person...and get into heaven. A stacked deck?

I'm not sure what naive NA theory you're having a pop at here, but rest assured it stands on no traditional foundation.

 

[wil]

When I need a boost as to how nice people can be... i stick out my thumb and hitchhike... sure there are people that flip ya off... never figured out how bad they perceive life tof feel that neeed...and they get pissed when I smile and wave.

 

[TheLightWithin]

Were you to be very old, like me ... then you'd recall the term entered English around the early 1300s,

Oh i don't remember much before the Revolution of '76!

I do wish you'd make your minds up.

Who? ....
Oh, be nice

But yes, I know the etymology of nice... such a nice story.