Art and science are fundamental to our society. They are not isolated but have similarities. Previous studies have focused on the creativity of artists and scientists, lacking exploration of their similarities and differences in genetic basis, brain structure, and neural networks, thus leaving problems unsolved and conclusions superficial. Moreover, these similarities and differences are not only influenced by genes but also by environmental factors. However, most previous studies focused on some specific environmental factors, which failed to reflect the multi-faceted effects and synergy between different environmental factors on artists and scientists and it also ignored the gene-environment interaction. In addition, previous studies found differences in the susceptibility to mental illness between artists and scientists. But these findings are also unilateral and limited because of the subjective measurements they used.
Therefore, new advanced empirical studies should be taken to give more solid evidence to promote multi-disciplinary integration and encourage the development and reform of education. New comprehensive research using rich UKBB data which contains various social, genetic, and environmental information should be taken to uncover the truth. And it’s beneficial to investigate what influences mental and physical health and how to improve it.
Therefore, this project will use gene-environment interaction analysis to disclose the relationship between art and science by analyzing the similarities and differences between artists and scientists.
Specifically, we aim to explore:
(1) What are the shared and differentiated genetic foundations and neural mechanisms between artists and scientists?
(2) How does the interaction between genetic and environmental factors influence the cognitive functions of artists and scientists?
(3) Are there differences in susceptibility to various mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, autism, and schizophrenia, between artists and scientists? If so, what are the roles the gene-environment interactions play in these differences?
This program is a research project of the Socio-Cultural and Affective Neuroscience Lab and will last 36 months.
This program will shed new light on the education sectors to help the cultivation and selection of interdisciplinary talents and help the public find better ways to fulfill their potential by changing their living environment and habits. It will also be conducive to improving the mental and physical health of artists and scientists which could promote social innovation. Moreover, the uncovering of susceptibility to mental illness would reduce the stigmatization of mental illness and develop possible cognitive interventions to improve population health and alleviate the medical burden of society.
