Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 2015, Vol. 46(3) 336–354 © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0022022114563612 jccp.sagepub.com Article Improving Research in the Emerging Field of Cross-Cultural Sociogenetics: The Case of Serotonin Michael Minkov 1 , Vesselin Blagoev 1 , and Michael Harris Bond 2 Abstract We offer a critical overview of studies associating genetic differences in the 5-HTTLPR VNTR in the serotonin-transporter gene with societal differences. We also highlight recent findings from individual-level research on 5-HTTLPR generating new hypotheses concerning the effect of genes on culture. We provide an expanded national index reflecting 5-HTTLPR S-allele prevalence as an improved tool for future research. Our preliminary tests of this tool suggest that national S-allele prevalence is not associated with individualism as has been claimed, but with national neuroticism, IQ and school achievement, Hofstede’s fifth dimension of long-term orientation, and Minkov’s societal hypometropia—a measure of risk acceptance and short-term vision in life history strategy. We encourage detailed research of these associations in future studies. Keywords genes, culture, serotonin-transporter gene, 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms, individualism, neuroticism, long-term orientation, IQ, cognition, societal hypometropia, life-history strategy Traditionally, anthropologists viewed culture and biology as two completely separate fields (Brown, 1991). Yet, this notion began to erode at the end of the 20th century, as scholars from various fields proposed that genetic differences at the population level can account for societal differences in values, personality, cognitive abilities, and behaviors. The idea that some cultural traits may be associated with genetic patterns has recently become acceptable in the mainstream scientific literature. Laland, Odling-Smee, and Myles (2010) stated that researchers from diverse backgrounds are converging on the view that human evolution has been shaped by gene–culture interactions (see also Chasiotis, 2011). According to Chiao and Ambady (2007), genetic variation between cultures suggests that cultural variation may be a result of different interactions, includ- ing the gene–brain interplay. 1 International University College, Sofia, Bulgaria 2 Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China Corresponding Author: Michael Minkov, International University College, Boul. Tsarigradsko Chaussee No 149 B, Sofia, 1784, Bulgaria. Email: minkov@iuc.bg 563612JCC XX X 10.1177/0022022114563612Journal of Cross-Cultural PsychologyMinkov et al. research-article 2014