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Nature vs. nurture—which is the most powerful influence on a person’s character?
Psychologists have always debated whether it is nature or nurture that affects a person’s character. Nature refers to the set of genes we are born with, while nurture means the environment we grow up in. So, which of these shapes our personality?
Nature versus nurture
Identical twins raised in different families were found to have similar personality traits, despite being separated at birth. In some cases, they went outside their expected social setup to do things – good deeds or crimes. Studies have also shown that the personality traits and IQs of biological siblings are more similar compared to those of adoptive siblings.
Nature is pre-wired in us
Nativists believe a person’s character is shaped by biological and hereditary factors. It is known that a person’s physical appearance is determined by nature. Predisposition to certain kinds of diseases also runs in families. There is a strong likelihood of people developing heart disease if someone in their immediate family had it.
Our environment nurtures us
Behavioral psychologists say that our character is a result of our interactions with the environment. For example, if a person grows up amidst aggressive people, they would learn the same behavior. Nurture refers to your upbringing, your childhood, and the environment in which you grew up. The theory that one is born with a ‘blank slate’ is called tabula rasa. According to this theory, whatever we learn and the individuals we become depends on our learning and experiences.
Nature and nurture are intertwined
Modern psychologists believe that an individual’s personality is a combination of nature and nurture. According to them, our intelligence is affected by both our genes and the environment we are raised in. It has been proven that specific kinds of activities help rewire the brain and affect its development. A person can also lower the risk of disease with their environment. If you have a family history of cardiac disease, you are at risk, but you can avert it with exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
To sum it up, neither of these factors can be held solely responsible for shaping a person’s character. Nature and nurture are intertwined and constantly at play during a person’s lifetime. Humans are the result of a combination of their genes and upbringing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is more important, nature or nurture?
Modern psychologists believe that a combination of both influences the personality of an individual.
- What are examples of nurture?
Nurture refers to the effect of the environment on an individual, including exposure, learning, and life experiences.
- Are humans 50 percent nature and 50 percent nurture?
A recent study that reviewed all research done in the past five decades suggests that nature and nurture contribute equally to our character.
- Are we born intelligent?
An individual is born with innate intelligence. But their intellectual skills can be further developed or hampered by their social setup, environment, and life experiences.
- Do twins have similar IQs?
Studies have shown that the IQ scores of identical twins are similar in 85 percent of cases, while for fraternal twins, it is similar in 60 percent of cases.
https://www.medicinenet.com/healthy_living_sunlight_your_health/article.htm
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-nature-versus-nurture-2795392
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4513026/
https://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Nature_vs_Nurture
