Nature Vs. Nurture

The Nature Vs. Nurture debate is one that has been at the heart of psychology for quite some time. It has recently been discovered that humans have only 30,000 genes. That is around the amount the flatworm has. It is still enough genes for there to be variation between all humans, It has been said that about 50% of personality is hereditary, while the other 50% is influenced by environment.

The Time article, says that genetic code can make you have the possibility to fall in love, the tendency to leans towards antisocial behavior and the ability to learn language. All of these things must be fostered by the environment to reach their full potential. If someone was abandoned, without possibility for human contact, they wouldn't really be able to do any of the things mentioned above. Their antisocial behavior would not matter at all since there would be no one to socialize with.

While fear of snakes is often learned, the predisposition of being afraid of snakes may be hereditary, since it is common sense for humans (and all other primates) to want to avoid them.

The article raises many questions. Is the gene that makes it possible to learn language only in humans? Gorillas that learn sign language from humans often teach it to their young. Do they have it too? Can genetic antisocial tendencies be overcome? If there is a link between a certain gene and homosexuality in males, is there a female equivalent? What about the transgendered? Is there a genetic link?

While genes don't doom someone to a life, it can heavily influence it. I tend to disagree with the "50% of personality" theory because genes influence the way you see the world so heavily. Some people it may be less, but some people it may be more.