The debate about nature and nurture is one of the most important controversies associated with human life. On the one hand, human behavior is determined by natural factors: genes embedded in them. Based on this, they acquire certain character traits and inclinations that affect all areas of life. On the other hand, people’s behavior is determined by their upbringing, or nurture, received in the environment: parents, education, friends, and other important people. The purpose of this paper is to compare the importance of nature and nurture in people’s lives and highlight the main factor.
Undoubtedly, the importance of both in the formation of personality cannot be denied. Scientists have proven that genetics strongly influences how a person grows up (Gedded and Andreasen 1235). People have certain personal qualities already being born: for example, they react more or less to external stimuli. However, from birth, babies are surrounded by numerous adults, without whom they cannot function. They adopt the manner of speech, behaviors, habits, and rules. This process continues at school, at the university, and even at work, where various influencers surround people. Consciously or not, some of these people’s traits also leave an imprint on their personality.
In my opinion, nurture has a greater influence on a person than nature. Children, especially during the first years of life, are very sensitive and dependent on adults. They unconditionally believe everything they are told. As a result, in the first few years of life, personality traits taken from outside are deeply rooted in them. This significantly affects the entire future life of these people and makes them what they are.
Work Cited
Geddes, John, and Nancy Andreasen. New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry. Oxford University Press, 2020.