By For some time now, the idea that blood type influences personality has been popular. Does it have the ability to modify behaviour patterns? Find out what science says.
The relationship between blood type and personality is a topic of discussion in popular culture, which has gained momentum in recent years. The idea that a person’s blood type influences their personality originated in Japan in the 1920s and has since gained popularity in other countries such as Korea and Taiwan.
However, despite the persistence of this idea among the general public, there is no scientific evidence to fully support the claim that blood type is related to personality . All evidence indicates that this is a belief and not a fact as such. So, in this article we will show you some of the scope of science regarding the subject.
“It is a man’s duty to undertake the conquest of his personality; his development must be his own work.”
~ Pierre-Simon Ballanche ~
Blood type and personality
The ABO system is currently used to determine blood type . This system is based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells. It is also based on the presence or absence of antibodies in the blood plasma. The four blood types resulting from this classification are A, B, AB and O.
Since the 1920s, there has been an idea that someone’s blood type can be related to their personality , due to differences in the chemical composition of the blood or in the way certain enzymes function. The supposed correlation is as follows:
- People with type A blood: perfectionists and careful.
- People with type B blood: creative and extroverted .
- People with type AB blood: intuitive and spiritual.
- People with type O blood: sociable and trustworthy.
However, the topic was addressed in a study conducted in Japan and published in PloS one . This research examined the relationship between blood type and personality, which was assessed by means of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) in a sample of more than 1,000 healthy Japanese people.
The results showed a significant association between blood type and a person’s traits, more specifically the trait of persistence. However, the authors warned that the results should be considered preliminary and taken with caution until more precise scientific evidence is obtained .
In this sense, the relationship between blood and personality lacks a solid scientific basis, even more so if one takes into account that the study cited above revealed several limitations, such as the fact that it did not consider aspects such as parenting style, stressful life situations, socioeconomic level, among others.
Science and belief
Another investigation into this popular belief, this time in The Japanese Journal of Psychology , very specifically indicates that there is no scientific consensus on a relationship between ABO blood type and personality traits.
However, within the Asian population, such an idea seems to be so deeply rooted that it can even alter the results of scientific tests, due to “knowledge contamination.”
This is detailed in a study in the International Journal of Social Science Studies , where experts found that a relationship could indeed exist, but the certainty of the fact was not asserted, because the respondents were too conditioned by popular belief .
So why do so many people think that blood type influences personality? There is no single answer to this. Some of the possible reasons are as follows:
- Desire to find simple explanations: some prefer to believe in simple explanations for complex phenomena.
- Cognitive biases: People may have cognitive biases that lead them to believe in supposed truths, without scientific evidence to support them.
- Misconceptions: There are misconceptions about the biology and chemistry of the human body. For example, some people assume that certain substances in the blood affect the brain in specific ways, which is wrong.
- Cultural influence: In some countries, such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan, the idea that blood type characterizes personality is very popular. This hypothesis is perpetuated through the media, literature and everyday conversations.
Overcoming myths
It is important to note that personality traits are influenced by a variety of factors , including genetics, upbringing, education, and culture. And there is no verified connection to blood type.
It is also pertinent to carry out a critical analysis of the information we find online. It is best to go to reliable sources based on evidence, rather than accepting any statement as true.
In conclusion, although the idea that blood type is related to personality is popular in some places, there is a lack of further scientific support for this claim.