Birth/Personality

What Your Date Of Birth Says About Your Personality

According to astrology, the relative position of the Earth, moon, sun, and stars at the time of birth greatly influences a person's personality. Scientists have refuted this for years, though a small study from Semmelweis University in Budapest has found that personality may be influenced by the season in which a person is born. The results were presented by lead researcher Xenia Gonda at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress in Berlin on October 19.

"We can't yet say anything about the mechanisms involved,” Gonda said in a press release. “What we are now looking at is to see if there are genetic markers which are related to season of birth and mood disorder.”

"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,” Gonda continued. “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.”

- Those born in spring were found to be more likely to have a hyperthymic temperament. That is, they have a tendency to be incredibly positive.

- Babies born in summer were also found to be hyperthymic, but with strong cyclothymic temperament. Though summer babies are more likely to experience those high positive feelings, they were also significantly more likely to report experiencing frequent mood swings. This is particularly true when compared to babies born in winter.

- Those with autumn birthdays had drastically reduced tendency toward depressed moods compared to people born in winter.

- People with winter birthdays were found to be less likely to be irritable, compared to all other seasons. 

The study needs further work but seems interesting. What do you think? Does the description of the "seasons" match your personality?

[Header image adapted from “A pond for all seasons” by Keith Hall via flickr]