When I first thought of this inquiry question,
I really had the presumption that environment had more of an influence on a
person’s behavior. I have always thought
of behavior and personality traits, as something that a person could easily
change and mold; depending on their surroundings. Now, that I have done some research, I can
really see how it is a combination of both environment and genetics. I
say this because I don’t think it is fair to say, that it can only be
environment or that it can only be genes that makes a person who they
are. There are plenty of examples of people that grow up in a
"good" family with positive influences and they still end up making
bad life decisions. And yet, there is also the opposite of situations,
where people have rough childhoods and have no positive role models and yet
they succeed beyond imagination.
http://www.sacramentobmi.com/CausesofObesity
Even though, I believe this is a subject that
will never have a concrete answer that every person can agree to, I do feel
that with research and technology, we are getting a lot closer to understanding
the possibilities of controlling and changing our own behavior.
With all of this continued research and
science, I would love to know more about which personality traits are more
affected by our DNA and which traits can be influenced or changed by our
environment? And if the environment can change the physicality of our genes,
and if that influences them to be "turned on" or "turned
off", which process or therapies work best to make this happen? Is this the key to helping people overcome
bad behavior, addiction or even the curse of a genetic disease?
With the next project I feel strongly that I
want to argue that it does take both environmental influence and genetic
factors to give us our individual personalities. Even though, I have found some
great sources, that have put a good argument for each side, I personally don’t
see how traits can only be influenced by one factor.
Synthesis
Both articles “Study Finds that Nature Beats Nurture in Character
Traits” by Janice WoodDouglas Steinberg are both very
convincing in stating their arguments. I
think Wood’s article is very persuasive showing that genetics can have a
significant effect on behavior traits.
On the opposing side Steinberg’s argument is more persuasive, since it
is proved by scientific evidence. I feel
that with actual new technology showing the physical changes in molecules
surrounding and effecting genes, this helps win the current debate of “Genetics
Vs. Environment”.
Great blog April! I was just as curious to the results uncovered as you researched this topic. From the beginning, I leaned more towards the environment side. But now with all the evidence you have shown, I feel the same way you do. This question can be a single factor. I seems logical that both genetics and environment both play vital parts in someones behavior. When you mentioned that even children that grew up in good homes and were raised right still had the chance to get into trouble, it reminded me of some children born with a silver spoon born in their mouth. They don't have to work for anything and take for granted what their family worked hard to achieve. You would think that because of the parents having so much drive and dedication to making more out of life, that automatically the child would too. But instead most times they have a sense of entitlement and have a hard time adjusting to real life. I encourage you to keep researching and move forward with your new topic of how both genetics and environment play a role in behavior.
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