Question

Babies born in the summer are much more likely to suffer from mood swings when they grow up while those born in the winter are less likely to become irritable adults, scientists claim.
Researchers studied 400 people and matched their personality type to when in the year they were born.
They claim that people born at certain times of the year have a far greater chance of developing certain types of temperaments, which can lead to mood disorders.
The scientists, from Budapest, said this was because the seasons had an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which control mood, however more research was needed to find out why.
They discovered that the number of people with a “cyclothymic” temperament, characterized by rapid, frequent swings between sad and cheerful moods, was significantly higher in those born in the summer.
Those with a hyperthymic temperament, a tendency to be excessively positive, was significantly higher among those born in the spring and summer.
The study also found that those born in the autumn were less likely to be depressive, while those born in winter were less likely to be irritable.
Lead researcher, assistant professor Xenia Gonda, said: “Biochemical studies have shown that the season in which you are born has an influence on certain monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which is detectable even in adult life. This led us to believe that birth season may have a longer-lasting effect.
“Our work looked at over 400 subjects and matched their birth season to personality types in later life.
“Basically, it seems that when you are born may increase or decrease your chance of developing certain mood disorders.
Professor Gonda added: “We can’t yet say anything about the mechanisms involved. What we are now looking at is to see if there are genetic markers that are related to the season of birth and mood disorder”.
The study may well provide a clue as to why some of the nation’s best know personalities are good-natured, while others are slightly grumpier.
The Duchess of Cambridge was born in winter, on January 9, which according to the study, means she is less likely to be irritable while Roy Keane, the famously hot-headed former Manchester United footballer, was born in August when the scientists say people are more likely to have mood swings. Mary Berry, the ever-cheerful presenter of the Great British Bake Off, was born in the Spring, when, according to the study, people are more likely to be excessively positive.
The study is being presented at the annual conference of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday. Professor Eduard Vieta, from the ECNP, said: “Although both genetic and environmental factors are involved in one’s temperament, now we know that the season at birth plays a role too.
“And the finding of “high mood” tendency (hyperthymic temperament) for those born in summer is quite intriguing.”

Question 1: What is the research question the study addresses?
Question 2: What is the sample? Be clear and specific in your response.
Question 3: What type of variable is season in which you were born?
a)Qualitative
b)Quantitative and continuous
C) Quantitative and discrete
Question 4: What can be said (in general) about individuals born in summer?
Question 5: What can be said (in general) about individuals born in winter?
Question 6: What conclusion was drawn from the study?

Answer 1

1. The research question the study addresses is as below:

How human temperament is related to the season in which they were born?

- The study identified the relationship (qualitatively) between the mood/temperament of a person and the season (Summer, Winter, Autumn, Spring) in which he/she is born.

2. The study is done on a sample of 400 adults whose birth seasons were analyzed with their personality types.

3. a) Qualitative

- Season is not a number and can't be ordered, Hence it is considered as Qualitative variable.

4. In general, the study identified that majority of the individuals born in summer exhibit mood swings (cyclothymic temperament) while some of them also display excessive positivity (hyperthymic temperament)

5. In general, the study identified that majority of the individuals born in winter are less irritable i.e... have less mood swings compared to individuals born in summer.

6. The study concludes that there is a qualitative relationship between the season in which people are born and the temperament they show in their later life. The biological components which may be the creator of this relationship are identified as dopamine and serotonin. At present definite mechanism of influencing done by these neurotransmitters on birth season and mood disorders are not known.