Nature versus Nurture: What Affects a Person More, Their Genes or Their Surroundings and the Way They Are Raised

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Nature versus Nurture: What Affects a Person More, Their Genes or Their Surroundings and the Way They Are Raised

The debate concerning nature versus nurture, in regard to the effect of genes, surroundings and upbringing on an individual has always been a contentious subject. Each of the three factors plays a distinct role in a person’s developmental changes, in the course of his/her lifespan. However, many scholars approach the controversial subject by assuming a middle ground on the case (Fulton, 2009). The thesis statement of this paper posits that, nurture and nature are complementary and work mutually to structure a person’s manners.

It is essential to mention that, nature bestows a person with inborn characteristics whereas nurture structures these genetic aptitudes through the socialization process. Genetics’ role in an individual’s personality has been endorsed in studies related to psychology while, on the other hand, proponents of nurture posit that, a person is shaped by the environment, rather than genes. Proponents of nature, especially psychologists posit that an adult’s character is predominantly established by the set of genes that the person carries. According to Ridley (2009), a person is exclusively defined by genes, and the foundation of this life is to become a transmission avenue for the genes and guarantee their propagation. Several studies have demonstrated that genes affect a person’s appearance as well as, play a significant role in their attitude and behavior. Contemporary hereditary research, as well as medical studies in regard to adopted children and identical twins, demonstrates that numerous human qualities formerly undervalued as an upshot of childhood experiences and upbringing were anchored in genetic matrix but that explicit characteristics were initiated through certain situations (Fulton, 2009).

The interaction among the environment and genetics can be considered from a philosophical perspective. Several philosophers have raised the question as to whether humans inherit the ability to structure the objective information that is perceived by their senses, or they discern this entirely from their environment. According to Segal (2010), human beings congregate their understanding of the world exclusively through their senses’ experiences. The information is then shaped into an increasingly complex form through rationale. Human beings have an inherent capacity of observation, but the thoughts that influenced their conduct are created from their experiences. In contrast, other philosophers such as Immanuel Kant posit that human conduct and understanding is genetically constructed. Kant argued that while the understanding human beings have is derived from what their senses experience, humans have an inherent ability to categorize and discern from this information.

It is essential to reflect on an attribute such as leadership in this discussion since it presents a credible interplay between nature and nurture in a person’s life. Nature may be a fundamental aspect in the leadership qualities that a person possesses. At the same time, nurture may be an essential aspect in the leadership qualities that an individual possesses. Life experiences have been proven to strengthen an individual’s character in learning to be an influential individual. The individual may learn out of life experiences how to fight for their beliefs, as well as guiding other people to do the same (Ridley, 2009).

The more human behavior and development is understood, the more explicable it becomes that nurture and nature simply influence but do not independently determine the character a person. It is evident that there is no direct, fundamental relationship between an individual’s genetic makeup and their conduct, or between environment and personality. The possibility of exhibiting certain tendencies might be amplified by possessing a distinct gene, but it is not solitary driving factor. A human being’s socialization also significantly influences their decisions and character.

References

Fulton, T. (2009). Psychological Testing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Ridley, E. (2009). Sex & Evolution of Human Character. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.Segal, D. (2010). Environment & IQ. New York: Rosen Central.