Risky business: linking Toxoplasma gondii infection and entrepreneurship behaviours across individuals and countries

摘要: Disciplines such as business and economics often rely on the assumption of rationality when explaining complex human behaviours. However, growing evidence suggests that behaviour may concurrently be influenced by infectious microorganisms. The protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects an estimated 2 billion people worldwide has been linked to behavioural alterations in humans other vertebrates. Here we integrate primary data from college students professionals with national-level information cultural attitudes towards test hypothesis T. infection influences individual- well societal-scale entrepreneurship activities. Using a saliva-based assay, found ( n = 1495) who tested IgG positive for exposure were 1.4× more likely major 1.7× have emphasis ‘management entrepreneurship9 over business-related emphases. Among attending events, -positive individuals 1.8× started their own compared attendees 197). Finally, after synthesizing combining country-level databases past 25 years Global Entrepreneurship Monitor entrepreneurial activity, prevalence was consistent, predictor activity intentions at national scale, regardless whether previously identified economic covariates included. Nations higher also had lower fraction respondents citing ‘fear failure9 inhibiting new ventures. While correlational, these results highlight linkage between parasitic behaviours, including those relevant business, productivity.