Association between DRD4 gene and perception of architectural spaces by using EEG

Abstract

The psychological effects of the environment on humans have been well established. However, the genetic mechanisms of individuals in environmental perception and preferences have not been studied yet. In this research the correlation between the expression of the DRD4 gene and the preference for architectural spaces was investigated. Firstly, architectural spaces simulated in VR animation. The brain responses of the participants (N = 42) to architectural stimuli were recorded. Secondly, using the qPCR method, the DRD4 gene expression of individuals was compared based on the frequency of their brain waves. A significant difference was observed in the DRD4 gene expression of the participant groups. Based on the results, the increase in the expression of the DRD4 gene was associated with a decrease in the intensity of the brain's response to stimuli. Also, the highest correlation was seen between DRD4 gene expression and the stimuli of Low-privacy (91%), complexity (87.8%), and color (84.6%).

KEYWORDS:

• Environmental preferences
• genetics
• extroversion
• DRD4 gene
• biotechnological architecture
• environmental psychology
• EEG

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Raw data were generated at SPSS 19. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request.