Is human nature determined by genes or shaped by environmental factors such as upbringing?

This article discusses whether human traits are determined by genes or shaped by environmental factors such as upbringing, and compares the influence of genetic and environmental factors through various studies and examples.

 

Before we get into the discussion, let’s first consider what we mean by nature and nurture. The discussion of nature versus nurture has a long history of philosophical, psychological, and biological perspectives. It asks the fundamental question of whether human traits and behaviors are innate or shaped by our upbringing. This debate plays an important role in understanding human identity, morality, and social behavior.
First, when we think about human nature, the word “innate” is one that centers on human nature. It means “to be born with certain characteristics or abilities.” It’s unclear whether this refers to birth or to the genetic process of fertilization when a sperm and egg meet. For the purposes of this article, we’ll think of human nature as the genetic fertilization of an egg and sperm, where the genes determine the characteristics of a human being. This view is also linked to biological determinism, which includes the claim that all human traits are already determined by genes. For example, some people are born with artistic talent, and some people are born with exceptional physical abilities. This view is often found in people who believe that personal achievement is largely determined by genetics.
Nurture, on the other hand, is acquired rather than innate, which means that human traits are not determined by genes but are shaped by the environment around us. This includes family, education, culture, and social experiences. Psychologists have long studied how these environmental factors shape our personality, intelligence, and behavioral patterns. For example, twins with the same genetic background can have very different personalities and abilities if they are raised in different environments.
Genetic determinists argue that the genome genetically determines not only our physical features, but also our behavioral traits. In fact, there are times when the news and stories around us make us think that genetic traits may be determining a person’s characteristics. In the Olympics, the top medalists in track and field are mostly black, with no yellow or white athletes. This could be interpreted as a sign that certain races have a genetic predisposition to excel in certain sports. On the other hand, the dominance of China and South Korea in the International Mathematical Olympiad leads us to believe that genes play a role in determining human traits.
However, if you look at human behavior and research, you’ll find that these ideas and claims are wrong. One example is childbirth. If a person’s traits and personality are determined by their genetic makeup, then the moment a sperm meets an egg and fertilizes it, it should determine who that person is. The average person’s prenatal care has no effect on the zygote, which has already been genetically determined, so it’s practically pointless. However, it’s not hard to find studies that show the effects of prenatal care on the fetus. A study from the University of Pittsburgh in the U.S. found that IQ is largely determined by the environment in the womb rather than genetics. It’s also been shown to affect the emotions of the fetus. As you can see, the development of the fetus depends not only on genes, but also on environmental factors during pregnancy.
The book Intelligence and How to Get It by Richard E. Nisbett shows that the environment has a significant impact on people even after birth. This book shows through statistics that intelligence, one of the human traits, has very little genetic influence and most of it is environmental. Through years of experiments and statistics, the author argues that there is very little genetic influence on intelligence. The book argues that the academic successes of today’s society must take into account the differences in upbringing and the stereotypes that exist between different races in the existing society. In other words, before we can conclude that the biased appearance of one type of group in society is simply due to genetics, we must also consider the social and environmental factors that contribute to this phenomenon.
Of course, the above arguments and studies cannot be considered as representative of all human traits, as human traits cannot be limited to intelligence or personality alone. Also, it is not possible to assume that all human characteristics are manifested and changed by environmental factors. However, based on the experiments mentioned above, we can conclude that environmental factors are more important than genetic factors. This is especially true in social contexts, where people are unknowingly influenced by their social groups and cultural backgrounds, which have a profound impact on their beliefs, values, and behaviors.
These findings have many implications for people. It shows how wrong the Nazis’ emphasis on the genetic superiority of Aryans in World War II was. It also shows how important environmental factors are for people who want to change themselves. In Intelligence and How to Get It, Richard E. Nisbett writes: “If you recognize the possibility of change and make an effort to do so, you will be more likely to succeed.” “It makes all the difference between recognizing the possibility of change and working under the assumption that change is not possible.” If you want to change yourself, you don’t have to blame genetics alone, you can change your mindset. This offers hope not just for personal change, but for the possibility of change in society as a whole. Social progress is possible depending on how each individual utilizes the environment around them and uses it as a tool for change.