Japanese blood type theory of personality
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Japanese Blood Type Personality Chart | |
| Type A | |
|---|---|
| Best Traits: | Conservative, introverted, reserved, patient, punctual, and perfectionist. |
| Worst Traits: | Obsessive, stubborn, self conscious, and uptight. |
| Famous As: | George H. W. Bush, Ayumi Hamasaki, O. J. Simpson, Britney Spears, Alan Alda, Adolf Hitler, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon |
| Type B | |
| Best Traits: | Creative and passionate. Animal loving. Optimistic and flexible. Individualist. |
| Worst Traits: | Forgetful, irresponsible, and self-centered. |
| Famous Bs: | Akira Kurosawa, Jack Nicholson, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Selleck, Mia Farrow, Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vince Young |
| Type AB | |
| Best Traits: | Cool, controlled, rational. Introverted. Empathic. |
| Worst Traits: | Aloof, critical, indecisive and unforgiving. |
| Famous ABs: | John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, Thomas Edison, Bob Sapp, Miyavi, Ken Kitamura |
| Type O | |
| Best Traits: | Ambitious, athletic, robust and self-confident. Natural leaders |
| Worst Traits: | Arrogant, vain and insensitive. Ruthless |
| Famous Os: | Ronald Reagan, Queen Elizabeth, John Lennon, Paul Newman, Elvis Presley, Gerald Ford, Mikhail Gorbachev, Al Capone, Crystal Kay |
It is popularly believed in Japan that a person's ABO blood type or ketsu eki gata is predictive of their personality, character, and compatibility with others, similar to the Western world's Astrology. This belief has carried over to certain extent in other parts of East Asia such as South Korea and Taiwan. In Japan, asking someone their blood type is considered as normal as asking their astrological sign in other countries. This theory is completely dismissed by most scientists as superstition or pseudoscience; still, many people believe this theory.
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[edit] History
The discovery of blood types in 1901 has been hailed as one of the greatest advances in medical history, but the breakthrough was then used by the Nazis to further their eugenics program, and claim the superiority of Germans -- mostly types A and O -- over Jews, Asians and others with a larger proportion of type B blood.
The theory reached Japan in a 1927 psychologist's report, and the militarist government of the time commissioned a study aimed at breeding better soldiers. The craze faded in the 1930s as its unscientific basis became evident. It was revived in the 1970s with a book by Masahiko Nomi, an advocate and broadcaster with no medical background.
[edit] Scientific support
While scientific study has shown that people of specific blood types may be more prone to certain illnesses, no medical studies have been found directly correlating blood type with all of the personality traits associated with them. Some studies do however show variation of hormones and enzymes which other studies have associated with personality changes.
Individuals have varying levels of the enzyme dopamine beta hydroxylase and catecholamine hormones according to their blood type as a result of genetic linkage of nearby genes on chromosome 9 (the locus for ABO blood group in humans).<ref>Goldin L, Gershon E, Lake C, et. al (1982). "Segregation and linkage studies of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), erythrocyte catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO): possible linkage between the ABO locus and a gene controlling DBH activity.". Am J Hum Genet 34 (2): 250-62. PMID 6951409.</ref> Congenital dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency is caused by mutation in the gene encoding dopamine beta-hydroxylase on chromosome 9q34, also the ABO locus.<ref>Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) 223360 "Linkage analysis by Wilson et al. (1987, 1988) yielded a lod score of 5.88 at a recombination fraction of 0.0 for the linkage of DBH and ABO."</ref>
The ABO blood group system and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity are known to be two genetic markers for affective disorder. In researching a connection between the two markers, one study found that the platelet MAO activity of subjects with blood type O was significantly lower than that of subjects with other blood types,<ref>Arató M, Bagdy G, Rihmer Z, Kulcsár Z (1983). "Reduced platelet MAO activity in healthy male students with blood group O.". Acta Psychiatr Scand 67 (2): 130-4. PMID 6573841.</ref><ref>Beitchman J, Mik H, Ehtesham S, Douglas L, Kennedy J (2004). "MAOA and persistent, pervasive childhood aggression.". Mol Psychiatry 9 (6): 546-7. PMID 15024395.</ref> criminal behaviour,<ref>Nilsson K, Sjöberg R, Damberg M, et. al (2006). "Role of monoamine oxidase A genotype and psychosocial factors in male adolescent criminal activity.". Biol Psychiatry 59 (2): 121-7. PMID 16125147.</ref> alcoholism, antisocial personality and impulsivity.<ref>Gutiérrez B, Arias B, Gastó C, Catalán R, Papiol S, Pintor L, Fañanás L (2004). "Association analysis between a functional polymorphism in the monoamine oxidase A gene promoter and severe mood disorders.". Psychiatr Genet 14 (4): 203-8. PMID 15564894.</ref>
[edit] Character trait associations
According to Nomi's theory, those with type A blood tend to be reserved, punctual, and law-abiding, while type Os tend to be more outgoing, passionate, and individualistic. Type Bs are said to be carefree and cheerful, while ABs are said to be serious and solitary by nature.
Type A blood is the most common in Japan and Germany while type O is most prevalent in the United States. 60 percent of Japanese Prime Ministers have been type O. Type Bs also said to make great cooks and restaurant guides featuring Type B chefs are popular products in Japan. [citation needed]
Persons having Rh negative blood types are extremely rare in the Japanese population with a recent survey placing the percentage at around less than 1% of the total population, and no particular significance is attached to the Rh type.
[edit] Applications
Blood type theory is widely popular in women's magazines as a way to gauge relationship compatibility with a potential or current partner. Morning television shows feature blood type horoscopes, and similar horoscopes are published daily in newspapers. There are not a proven correlation between blood type and personality at all, it has still remained in the many matchmaking services that cater to blood type. In this way, it is similar to the use of astrological signs in the west, which is also popular in Japan. Asking about a blood type is common and it is often a surprise if a foreigner is unaware of their own blood type.
Blood type consultants attempt to calculate how well different people work together based on blood type, but they have never established reliable sources. However they declare this theory as scientific, so some companies have accepted this craze.
It is common among anime and manga authors to mention their character's blood types, and to give their characters corresponding blood types to match their personalities. Some video game characters also have known blood types; an example being Final Fantasy VII where blood types of the main characters are revealed in the game's manual. In addition, the videogame series Gungriffon, Tekken and Princess Maker allow for blood type as an option in their creation modes.
[edit] See also
- My Boyfriend is Type B A Korean romantic comedy based on the idea of blood type personality.
[edit] External links
- ABO Group homepage with blood types descriptions (in Japanese only).
- ABO FAN enthusiast site on blood type and personality.
[edit] Notes
<references/>de:Japanische Blutgruppendeutung fr:Croyance japonaise en l'influence du groupe sanguin sur la personnalité ja:血液型性格分類
