The topic of nature vs nurture effects on personality has been an ongoing psychology debate for many years with the support of both sides being divided between different disciples of psychology. The Nature Theory is based on the principle that the DNA inherited from our parents, which begins with a fertilized egg and evolves into a person, not only determines what we look like, but also contributes to our personality, the emotional person we are, and the behaviors we develop. In contrast, the Nurture Theory is based on the principle that the environment a person is exposed to, such as family and social surroundings, influence the behavior and personality they develop. Years of studies show that neither theory is solely responsible for who an …show more content…
These findings support that the environment of the adopted family influence the development of the adopted twin in that they learn and mature to be like the environment they were exposed to.
Results of studies on professional musicians show that both nature and nurture contribute to their success. Genetic studies show that individuals that practice and nurture their talent actually possess genes that influence them to practice. We have all heard the slang, “Practice makes perfect.” It is that combination of the genetic makeup that drives them to practice and the environment of doing so that make them successful in their craft. (medicaldaily)
Another supportive topic of both nature vs nurture is the active gene-environment correlation. The active gene a person possesses actually chooses the environment the person is exposed to. An example of this is would be the environments and situations a person that is shy chooses. They tend to be an observer or wallflower staying in quiet situations. This is somewhat a continuous cycle, the gene molding the environment and the environment continuing to influence the personality based on the active
“Twins have been the heart and soul of the nature versus nurture debate for over a century” (Plicher 1). Scientists and psychologists believe that because identical twins share 100% of the same genes, that studying twins, would benefit in proving the theory. Twins that are separated at birth end up living in different environments. Because they grow up differently, scientists and psychologists are able to analyze the genetic and environmental influences that shape the twins personalities. Even though the discussion of the nature versus nurture topic has not yet been proven, some feel nurture wins. The study of twins contributes to the debate of nature versus nurture and whether the environment or genetics affects the development of personality.
The nature vs nurture issue has been a controversial argument among psychologist for decades. This argument exposes two different views. One of them emphasizes that our personality depends solely on genetics (nature). On the other hand, the second view suggests that humans “develop through experience” (Myers 2013, SG 6) (nurture).
Erickson’s psychosocial theory adds perspective to why identical twins, Linda and Lydia, turned out differently (Feldman 2010). Linda was raised by a family in the rural west, while Lydia went to a family in the urban south. These are two very different situations filled with different socioeconomical environments (Feldman 2010). The differences in the girls’ social environment could have had huge influence on their cognitive development (Feldman 2010). We need to analyze what Erickson’s psychosocial theory says about the way our social interactions with other people can test and outline our development (Feldman 2010). We can also take a look at the
“You inherit your environment just as much as your genes.” (Rich, 2015) In 1869, the phrase “nature vs. nurture was coined by an English polymath named Francis Galton. There are two sides to this debate, each with their own pros and con’s. Nature is the side that argues that the DNA and genotype humans are born with determines who they are and what personality and traits they will have throughout their lifetime. Whereas the nurture side of the debate argues that humans are born with sponges as minds, and through interactions and experiences while we grow, the knowledge and understanding of life is gained and this is how our personalities are sculpted. Many people have studied this debate through multiple schools of thoughts; each with their own arguments to which side they believe prevails. Yet, to this day, there is no proof to say which side of the debate if correct. Based on the psychological, sociological, and epigenetic schools of though, it can be validated that when it comes to the nature vs. nurture debate, nurture will always prevail and remain most relevant.
Hereditary along with environment is a personality development that is a heated debated in the area for several of years. So when it comes to nature versus nurture the personal experience that a person goes through is basically determining what is causing the individual the differences in their physical and behavioral traits as well. Then the frequent personality that is of the heritable trait that has been researched just in twins along with adoptions as well. Then for a bit of a twist when identical twins were studied they found out that they were far more similar when it came to their personalities and then when they looked at just random people that were just selected in pairs of two.
As many people have begun to pay attention to formation of personality, the debate over nature vs. nurture has raged for a long time and this issue is still controversial. However, as shown the
Have you ever noticed that you might act like your parents? Or maybe that your personality has changed over your lifetime? People have been debating about the nature versus nurture debate for a long time, and some think nature or genetics plays the bigger role in shaping personality, but some say nurture or society does. Nature and nurture both play a big part in determining what our personality will be. Identical twins have many differences. Your personality can change through your life because of the way you were raised. Studies show that nurture is much more dominant than nature is. Nurture is much more dominant in shaping personality than nature.
An age-long research topic in Psychology has been the issue of nature versus nurture issue. Nature versus nurture refers to the extent to which an individual’s genetics (inherited traits) or immediate society affects his or her personal growth. A very vivid example of the role nature or nurture plays in determining will be my personality. For example, my father and mother have mild temperaments, so I was raised in a somewhat conservative home. In my case, pro-nature supporters argue that my genetic makeup will largely determine the personality traits I develop. In this case, if I inherited a mild temperament, then I will most likely reflect such personality traits. Nurture supporters on the other hand,
the nature versus nurture is concerned with the extent that particular aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited or acquired characteristics. Often, there is no definitive answer. Success, or lack of, is a combination of both genetics and upbringing. Often, there is no definitive answer. For the purpose of this paper, athletic ability will be explored with regards to this debate. while some evidence shows the impact of nutrition and training, the big question is whether or not genetics outweigh the impacts of environment. According to the secondary research collected, evidence tends to support genetics rather than environment. However, a balanced combination of predisposed genes and external factors are often the perfect formula for an elite athlete. Elite athleticism can be attributed to sport specific genes, body types and environmental influences. Here we see that it's what's on the inside that really counts.
The nature vs nurture debate is one that naturalists and empiricists love to have. The naturalists are on the nature side of the debate; they believe that a person's development is primarily influenced by their genetic traits. The empiricists, on the other hand, side with the nurture part of the debate; they believed that a person's development is mostly influenced by the environment they are raised in. Most modern psychologist, however, don’t take such radical approaches. They instead accept that a person’s development is influenced by a mixture of both nature and nurture, although there is still debate over which plays a larger role (McLeod). In my life, both nature and nurture have played key roles in my development as a person and who I
A question that many psychologists ponder is “What determines your personality and behavior: nature or nurture?” There have been countless studies and experiments that attempt to prove one side or the other. From twin studies to evidence of breaking the cycle of abuse, it can be seen that personality and behavior are due to nurture, not nature.
For many years, there has been on the ongoing debate that is referred to as nature vs. nurture. It poses a question that many theorists have contested. Do human personalities and behaviors relate to our genetic makeup, or are we directly influenced by the environment and people that we are subjected to? What is more important, genes or environment? While some theorists take either one side over the other, some believe that both nature and nurture play an active role in human development.
The nature vs. nurture debate is one that has persisted throughout generations of scientists and neuroscientists. Some believe that all aspects of human behavior and human functioning are strictly hereditary, passed down from the parents through genetics. Others believe that the environment has a much greater impact, and can determine one’s personality and intelligence. However, this issue is not as black and white as it might appear. While genetics might have more power than the environment, it is my belief that both are equally important in the shaping of one’s personality and behavior.
Nature versus Nurture has been a prolonged debate since the beginning of modern science. The argument is whether our characteristics, personality and behavior are affected by the environment or heredity. The nature theory is that our genes and hereditary plays a factor on how we look to the different traits we have. On the other hand, the nurture theory is that the environment and our personal experiences has an impact on who we are. Therefore, both factors play a major role in determining why some people commit serious crimes or to study if an adopted child has more in common with their biological family or adopted family.
If I were to ask you on whether nature or nurture determines one’s traits, would you be able to answer me with absolute confidence? It is completely understandable if you are hesitant as both nature and nurture have something to boast about in their roles as determinants of one’s traits. There are studies that have shown that nurture is definitely the key that determines one’s ability and that science is increasingly showing that genes are becoming less an influence [James, December 27th, 2008]. However, with that being said, I believe that both are actually significant players.