Dear editor,
With regard to a story titled "Can blood type decide character?" I came to think about the correlation between blood types and personality traits.
Koreans and Japanese have a unique culture of determining personality with blood types. This culture had been developed further to indicate monetary prospects, future spouses, etc. Each blood type typifies similar characteristics for people of the same group. It is generally believed that people with blood type A are pessimistic, sensitive and timid but soft-hearted and careful when dealing with others.
On the other hand, those with blood type B are known to be self-centered and arrogant but optimistic and real go-getters. Those with blood type O are rather simple-minded while they also know how to embrace others well because of their sociable characteristic. People with blood type AB are regarded as peculiar, unusual and indifferent but also creative and sensuous.
Because of these personality traits per blood types, people tend to judge and define others by those given frameworks. However this tendency can easily lead to stereotypes about others; even, for instance, a person with blood type B can have some of the personality traits of those with blood type O.
There was an experiment that shows clearly how much people are biased about relationships between blood types and personality traits. Four men and women were being introduced to each other. Four different name tags with different blood types written were given to each man: the point here was to give name tags with different blood types. After they were given a few minutes to get to know each other, the women voted for the most and the least attractive mate. The most preferred was blood type B and the least was blood type AB.
However, the man voted for the most was actually blood type A, while the one least voted for was blood type O. This was a result caused from prejudices that men with blood type B are the best mates for women.
Then why are people in Korea and Japan so sensitive about blood types while other countries are not? Most Koreans and Japanese strongly believe in the relationships between blood types and personality (and other mental and physical qualities) but the truth is, they lack scientific proof. The idea was first started by the Germans in 1901. After the discovery that certain races are more likely to be prominent of certain blood types, they claimed theirs was superior but soon lost support because there was no strong evidence. The belief gained power in 1927 after a Japanese man reported a paper about studies of blood groups and temperament. Even though it was inaccurate and unscientific, it was noticed by many people and was soon adopted by Koreans.
It might be shocking to some people after they get to know the truth behind blood types since the relationships between blood groups and temperament have been accepted without doubt. However, it's time people face the truth because many don't see the real person behind the blood type facade. We'd better see eye to eye and understand each other heart to heart before it gets too late.
Kim Kyoung Jin
Student at Hanyang University High School
jinnymini@gmail.com
With regard to a story titled "Can blood type decide character?" I came to think about the correlation between blood types and personality traits.
Koreans and Japanese have a unique culture of determining personality with blood types. This culture had been developed further to indicate monetary prospects, future spouses, etc. Each blood type typifies similar characteristics for people of the same group. It is generally believed that people with blood type A are pessimistic, sensitive and timid but soft-hearted and careful when dealing with others.
On the other hand, those with blood type B are known to be self-centered and arrogant but optimistic and real go-getters. Those with blood type O are rather simple-minded while they also know how to embrace others well because of their sociable characteristic. People with blood type AB are regarded as peculiar, unusual and indifferent but also creative and sensuous.
Because of these personality traits per blood types, people tend to judge and define others by those given frameworks. However this tendency can easily lead to stereotypes about others; even, for instance, a person with blood type B can have some of the personality traits of those with blood type O.
There was an experiment that shows clearly how much people are biased about relationships between blood types and personality traits. Four men and women were being introduced to each other. Four different name tags with different blood types written were given to each man: the point here was to give name tags with different blood types. After they were given a few minutes to get to know each other, the women voted for the most and the least attractive mate. The most preferred was blood type B and the least was blood type AB.
However, the man voted for the most was actually blood type A, while the one least voted for was blood type O. This was a result caused from prejudices that men with blood type B are the best mates for women.
Then why are people in Korea and Japan so sensitive about blood types while other countries are not? Most Koreans and Japanese strongly believe in the relationships between blood types and personality (and other mental and physical qualities) but the truth is, they lack scientific proof. The idea was first started by the Germans in 1901. After the discovery that certain races are more likely to be prominent of certain blood types, they claimed theirs was superior but soon lost support because there was no strong evidence. The belief gained power in 1927 after a Japanese man reported a paper about studies of blood groups and temperament. Even though it was inaccurate and unscientific, it was noticed by many people and was soon adopted by Koreans.
It might be shocking to some people after they get to know the truth behind blood types since the relationships between blood groups and temperament have been accepted without doubt. However, it's time people face the truth because many don't see the real person behind the blood type facade. We'd better see eye to eye and understand each other heart to heart before it gets too late.
Kim Kyoung Jin
Student at Hanyang University High School
jinnymini@gmail.com
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