Most psychologists agree that genetics contribute to how we "turn out."
Discuss the contributtions made to our eventual outcome by genetics.
2006-11-12 11:45:26 · 7 answers · asked by mankatocougars4ever 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The laws of behavioral genetics: ( psychology )
1. All human behavioral traits are inherited.
2. The effects of the genes are greater than the effects of being raised in the same family.
3. There are variances in human behavior that are not accounted for by either the effects of the genes, or effects of being raised in the same family.
As a biologist, I, and most scientist, see the heritability of behavior in humans. The only argument left in science is the proportion thereof. Remember; the genome expresses itself into the phenome. Nature VIA nurture.
2006-11-12 13:32:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all genetics determine our physical appearance but I don't think this is what you are refering to.
It has been argued by psychologists that genetics may determine our personalities to some exten. This is based on the belief and some conspicuious reseach that suggest some people are more prone to a given type of behaviour do to abnomalities of a given gene. They argue that this occurs in the same way that our genetic make up pre-disposes us to disease like cancer or some forms of pscycosis such as schisoprenia.
The arguement is a basic presuposition that all extreme behaviour (behaviour contrary to the accepted societal norm) is an illness. Since, our genes have been found to contain markers for so many medical recognised illnesses then they must also controll these behaviour "illnesses".
The truth of this agruement is yet to be seen or accepted rather despite the renound and numerous experiments done on serial killers in the past decade. (Unfortunately I can't remember the names of any of these experiments at the moment. I do recall the allegation that they have found a defect in the X chromosome of a large percentage of the persons studied.)
Many people still consider such an arguement to be a glorified cop-out and excuse for not accepting the responsibility of our actions.
2006-11-12 20:08:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I just read in Scientific American that it is epigenomes (things that are on the DNA) that determine who we are, that they are like computer software telling the hardware what to do. These epigenomes can be manipulated by chemicals to turn parts of the DNA on or off. Scientists think this may help to solve some health problems caused by genetics. I read it at Coles, so I didn't spend a lot of time on it, but I think that's what it said.
2006-11-12 20:33:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The old nature vs nurture controversy. I think it is a bit of both. If it was all genetics I would be one or more of the following: mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addict, criminal, single parent, divorced... But I am none of those.
2006-11-12 22:03:18 · answer #4 · answered by True 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our physical features are determined by genetics, as well as much of our intelligence (50-80%!). Personality usually has to deal with the environment you are in, what your parents are like (traits), etc.
2006-11-12 19:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
genetics show how you look and most of your personality
but you have stern limits to things
lets say that your family is not very athletic
but you play sports all the time you reached the highest point of your athletic ability
the rest is up to how your parents raise you
2006-11-12 19:49:38 · answer #6 · answered by Lucky 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Genetics has to do with meat.
How do we "turn out" is altogether another issue.
We have a body, we have a mine, and are neither, as "we" use our bodies and our minds to play a game called life.
Psychologists don't know squat.
2006-11-12 21:14:43 · answer #7 · answered by noel_1939 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋