Each of us has some traits genetically programmed. These influence our behavior.
Additionally, from the day we are borne our behaviors are influenced by the things that happen around us, our environment.
Nature vs. Nurture ?
It is clear our genes define our basic being from physical body structure to the workings of our internal organs – nervous system, brain, heart liver, blood, etc. The resulting behavior is said to be derived from nature.
Our speech patterns, values, morals and the associated behaviors become formed over time by the external influences around us. Things like economic circumstances, climate, friends, family and so on. The resulting behavior is said to be derived from nurture.
A key question for human behaviorists is how do nature and nurture factors influence each other. Do these two main drivers work in conjunction, does one supplement the other or are they independent?
Are certain behaviors more impacted by one or the other of these factors. For example are values more derived from environmental circumstances or are you borne with them?
Twins
To help answer these questions a large number of studies have been conducted using identical twins separated at birth. These subjects are great examples of identical genetic templates subjected to different environmental influences.
The most definitive conclusion from numerous studies to date is that a combination of nature and nurture drive the end state and neither nature nor nurture can be held up as the unique and only reason for a specific behavior. That is to say, you could be borne with the potential for great intelligence but not exercise it fully due to your environmental situation or just the opposite, regardless of environment the intelligence potential could be realized and practiced. It has not been possible to identify a single definitive cause (nature or nurture) that consistently associates with a particular result.
Free Will!
The good news from these studies so far is that the concept of free will is supported. If you are a regular reader of these posts you would know I am a big believer in free will and constantly encouraging all to exercise theirs.
If nature or nurture cannot be consistently associated with a resulting behavior than it is intuitive that some level of free will must exist allowing, us to make our own choices dependent neither on nature nor nurture but just us. This is what is means to be human.
