Nature Versus Nurture: Causes Of Behavioral Tendencies

What causes our diversity in behaviors? And how much are these differences shaped by our genes or environment factors? People have been arguing about the topic of nature versus nurture for centuries. Surely, beyond the story of the formation of the beautiful planet, there’s something more incredible on Earth that is needed to take into consideration: the essence of universal human traits. Each of us is unique in our own ways. We sound different. We have different appearances. We respond to the same situation differently. We possess varying skills and personality traits. So what makes you you?

Human beings share not only a common biological heritage, but also common behavioral tendencies. Whether Europeans or Africans, we prefer sweet over bitter taste; whether rich or poor, we laugh when we are happy and cry when we feel sad; whether named Smith, Fernández, Lee, or Acharya, we tend to imitate others´ behavior from one year old, and learn to protect ourselves from external interference. Taken them altogether, such universal behaviors corroborate nature as the major cause of behavior tendencies. Although some opposing views that emphasize nurture to be the only cause which makes individuals differ from one another are based on Darwin’s theory of evolution, nature as a cause has undeniably played a dominant role that has proved by genetic coding, heritability of traits, and the interaction of gene and environment that contributes to development.

Genetics, as one of the most authentic evidence pieces that triggers certain behavior tendencies, refers to the features that distinguish every human being from uniqueness. Each of us has up to 25, 000 genes, which can help to provide the code for creating protein molecules. These protein molecules are our body’s building blocks; in other words, they are what make who we are. Most of our physical traits are influenced by many genes, such as our height, eye color, and size of bones. Complex traits, such as intelligence and aggressiveness, are also caused by groups of genes, but indicate our behavior tendencies. Researches have conducted case studies to examine the genetics of altruism and concluded that it is innate. Yet nurture theories still persist the significance of the effect of environmental factors, studies only prove the validity of genetics that are responsible for such behavior. Genetic disorders also cause drastic changes in behavioral tendencies. People who are born with mental disabilities resulting from genetic disorders are likely to have abnormal behaviors, such as talking to themselves, daydreaming in illusions, and hurting themselves violently. Therefore, we say that our genetic coding causes our behavioral tendencies – both shared human nature and human diversity.

Heritability of a trait is the extent to which variation among individuals can be attributed to their different genes. Moreover, it has proved to be another important cause of similar behavioral tendencies by a true story about a separation of two identical twins. On a chilly morning in 1979, Jim Lewis woke up in his home and somehow started to reflect on his past. Although he had divorced with his first wife, he still had a loving son and a loyal dog which made him satisfied with his daily life. Jim was looking forward to working in his basement woodworking shop for part of his time; he also liked to spend time watching car racing and drinking Miller Lite Beer. He was well-behaved and his neighbors all liked him since he’s easy to get along with. It all seemed to be ordinary until the day he had heard the news. Meanwhile, there existed another man. Similarly, he was also called Jim, divorced with his first wife, had a loving son and a loyal dog, enjoyed to work in his own woodworking shop, etc. Furthermore, he behaved exactly the same as Jim Lewis did, although he was slightly more muscular. Jim Lewis had later been told that this other Jim – Jim Springer – was his identical twin brother. In fact, they got separated thirty-seven days after they were born, and were adopted by different families.

Certainly, Lewis and Springer’s identical behaviors were not affected by their adopted parents who could had strongly reversed their nature by nurturing them. Instead, their behavior tendencies inherited from their biological parents showed a much higher similarity to their biological parents than to their adopted parents. This finding highlighted the accuracy of hereditary roles as the cause of similar behaviors. Interactions of genes and experience is also a reasonable cause of certain behavior tendencies. Psychologists have found that there’s a balance between genetic and environmental influences; as we become more mature, they find a more equal balance. This means that our experiences can generate our behavioral tendencies based on genetic influences over time.

Genes and environment are both important in shaping our personality and behaviors when they interact. Let’s say two new-born babies are genetically likeable and attractive. If one of them receives more care and love, he is going to develop into a more outgoing person and become more sociable. In this case, neither heredity nor experience causes their personality and behavior different. In fact, environments trigger gene activity, thus, leading to certain behavioral tendencies. There are three types of gene-environment relations concluded after examining the interactions: The first one is called an active correlation. It is defined as individuals possess a heritable inclination to select environmental exposure. For example, children find more suitable environments that are compatible with their genes, and therefore, strengthening their gene impression. The second one is called an evocative correlation. It occurs when genetically influenced attributes evoke an environmental response. The third one is called a passive correlation. If a child is born with genetically mathematical skills, then their parents are likely to provide them an environment to promote such ability. Although genes seem to play a dominant role in the cause of behavioral tendencies, some people still believe in nurture as the only factor based on John Locke and John B. Watson’s ideas. John Locke, a well-known British philosopher, believed in tabula rosa, which means that the mind is born as a blank states, and later suggested that science should rely on observation and experimentation, also known as empiricism. Later on, John B. Watson and his follower B. F. Skinner explained that our behavior was based on observation through people’s behavior and conditioning, a process in which our behavior is influenced by learned associations, regardless of their genes. Such arguments have been taken into careful considerations back then in the 1700s, but as more studies were conducted, we see more evidence pointing to nature as the cause of certain behavioral tendencies, as well as gene-environment interactions.

Even today, scientists still haven’t stopped debating whether it is nature or nurture that causes behavioral tendencies. However, throughout this timeless debate, a lot has changed in our understanding since the first day when this question was brought up. Even though the saying of genetic factors as the cause of behavioral tendencies are being widely accepted, there’s something beyond this primary question, that is, scientists have discovered so many other principles that could help to interpret the secrets of nature along with the debate. In a way, thanks to all the efforts which people have put into this nature versus nurture debate.