Inherited trait or learned behavior?

Question

If I sleep in the same position as my dad, and I shake my leg like him when falling asleep, is this inherited or learned? I usually can't sleep unless I'm in that position, and it's exactly like my dad does it. So do you think it's something in my genes or something I learned without even realizing it?

Answer 1

Hey! You shake your legs before sleeping? I do that too! Gimme a High-five! Yay!

Now, first of all, I don't like some of the answers here which are mere guessworks and don't make any sense at all. C'mon people this is a science question!

Ok, enough babbling! Answer time!

The sleep pattern you have described is definitely inherited and not learned. Actually, shaking legs before sleeping is associated with a commonly misdiagnosed neurological disorder known as Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome (also known as: Restless Leg Syndrome). You can read more about it on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restless_Leg_Syndrome
and http://www.sleepdisordersguide.com/restless-leg-syndrome.html

The "uneasiness" in legs that goes away by shaking is caused by genetic reasons in 40% of the cases. It gets transferred from generation to generation as a dominant autosomal (independent of sex of the suffering parent) trait.

Aside from genetic, the reasons are sometimes also related to back surgery, pregnancy, overdose of caffine (coffee, tea etc.), over-the-counter cold medications, low-iron, anti-nausea drugs and anti-depression drugs etc.

But, if you shake legs before sleeping and cannot sit still at a single place (reading a book, watching TV etc) for a long time, it doesn't necessarily mean that you've got Restless Leg Syndrome. It can also be due to a habit that you have developed over time (slight chance of it being a learned trait here). To ensure peace of mind, you can get an Actigraphy done but, if you take my advice, I'd say forget it! It doesn't seem like a severe case and I got control on my habit of shaking legs over a period of time too.

Ok, now, let's talk about sleeping postures and whether or not your position of sleep has anything to do with Dad's genes.

The answer is-- yes, there is a big probability of your sleep posture being hereditary. Actually most of our postures are inherited from our parents- the way we walk, stand and lie down-- it is all in the genes. However, a posture can easily be corrected/ affected by practice.

For example, I used to sleep on my left shoulder making a pillow of my hands just like my mom did but, over time, I started sleeping in prone position (on my stomach) and soon made a habit of it.

In conclusion, I'd just say that yes, your shaking legs and posture which are identical to your Dad's were inherited by you via genes but there is a slight possiblity of it being a genetic disorder if you absolutely cannot sleep without shaking legs and feel pain in your legs when you keepin lying down still for a few minutes.

I hope this answer helped.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Inherited trait or learned behavior?
If I sleep in the same position as my dad, and I shake my leg like him when falling asleep, is this inherited or learned? I usually can't sleep unless I'm in that position, and it's exactly like my dad does it. So do you think it's something in my genes or something I learned...

Answer 3

Nature vs. Nurture arguement - what do u believe We all have base genetics which are detemined from family... there are many anatomical and genetic explanaitions that i could explain but simple is --- competitiveness is mainly "brought outve u" or developed over ur life.... the will to succeed or to impress ppl drives competitiveness... as well as the "need" to win. If one isnt involved with it then it mainly goes away or seems non important to ppl... so to answer ur question.... traits are there... they're just brought outve u

Answer 4

I am not expert in inherited behavior, but I'd say that is a learned behavior. There's Freud theory that girls tend to worship their fathers when they are very little (Electra's complex) so you might tried to mimic your hero, and preserved it.

Answer 5

You don't provide enough information.

First, I'd have to do sleep studies to find out if most of the people in your neighborhood sleep like that. It could be an environmental response to the barometric pressure or humidity in your town, for all we know.

There are so many factors for such like things that it isn't worth finding out whether they are learned or innate.

Suffice it to say that most people exhibit characteristics of their grandparents and grandparents' siblings, not their parents, anyway.

Answer 6

Genes can't control behavior, only synthesize products such as protein and eye color. We are creatures of habit, so it was a learned trait.

Answer 7

Well, it sounds rather a strong, hereditary response. I can not see why any one would learn to sleep exactly like that.

Answer 8

something learned, this is not inherited, the way you sleep does not come from DNA. it has to be something you learned from your dad whether it was consciously or unconsciously

Answer 9

Hi. I would guess that you have the same bone structure, and therefore the same comfortable positions.

Answer 10

might be in your genes since you both do it...nt sure