Is, let's just say for example but not limited to, a sociopath made through natural genetics or formed by influences throughout adolescence?
2007-01-17 16:43:18 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Both. I don't know about your particular example, but there are clear personality traits that are believed to take roots in genetic predisposition (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) that unfortunately constitute part of someone's personality and there is very little that can be done to change it. Not necessarily these people are sociopaths, but they are definitely "different" personality-wise. On the other hand, there are may examples when people were terribly hurt in adolescence which led to abnormal social behaviour later.
2007-01-17 16:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's a combination. You're born with certain traits, tendencies, but your life experience will influence which way you go. For instance, I believe that you're born shy. Some babies are naturally comfortable with others, some babies are terrified of strangers. If however, a shy child is made to feel safe, is encouraged to break out of their shell & has many positive social experiences, it will be easier to interact with others. If a shy child has a difficult childhood filled with cruelty they will become more introverted, afraid of people & may develop a social phobia.
Despite all of this, you still choose how to live your life. The odds may be against you but you can still do anything you set your mind to. You are responsible for your own life, not nature or nurture.
2007-01-17 21:48:11 · answer #2 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Through life experiences, we have the choices of becoming bitter, or better. One can bless or blame. One also has habit of thoughts that he has formed. The earliest thoughts influence the next ones, etc. We all must choose daily which road we will travel. Usually our attitude dominates our choices. Then there is belief, or faith. That system can override other things such as lifelong habits and attitudes.
Usually if you have a parent that is a sociopath, you learn that way of life from them. Genes and outside influences go hand in hand. There is also ones adopted that left their sociopathic parent and were still endowed with tendancies, but were given better tools to cope with them.
2007-01-17 17:21:52 · answer #3 · answered by Blank 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. Everybody is neurologically wired differently. Senses can be uncomfortably acute and cause discomfort to one person and not to most people. If the people nurturing this child know this and can acommodate the environment to meet the child's special sensitivities, then the child could grow up to be well-adjusted. If the child is bombarded by criticism and is continually overwhelmed and feels inadequate, s/he may grow up to be alienated, angry, and destructive to self or others. Sometimes nature or nurture are so out of whack that one totally out-weighs the influence of the other.
2007-01-17 17:00:59 · answer #4 · answered by Casperia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different genetics would ultimately control the release of endorphins in the brain, hence control of emotions. However, the way we receive, interpret or react to these emotions would be determined by the experiences. Different experiences will alter the lessons learnt and hence the knowledge the person has.
Using this sociopath as an example, they may have been born with a dopamine dysfunction, hence making them more prone to violent outburst. Their upbringing may have been abusive, hence they believe the best way to vent this anger is by hurting another person.
2007-01-17 17:00:48 · answer #5 · answered by Mercenary Poet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to be so sure that nuture had more to do with nature. That is until my adopted daughter came along. I definatly had influences on her through out her liffe, but there are things that have come from out of nowhere.
I know a sociopath....I think the predisposition to be like one is in the basic brain chemistry. There is elemiet of choice. If we gave up on the hope to change , we might as well give up
2007-01-17 20:03:37 · answer #6 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A personality is not genetic or environmental, its just your individual way of seeing the world. Nature (genetics) determines your physical attributes and nurture determines how you deal with the world
2007-01-17 17:21:47 · answer #7 · answered by BANANA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each person is different. One person could be both another was just born with a loose screw, and yet a third person could have had the most gentle nature when brought into the world and over time become nuts due to environment.
my suggestion is that everyone treat everyone else with love in their hearts always and that goes double when dealing with children.
2007-01-17 16:52:32 · answer #8 · answered by Stacy L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old nature vs. nurture riddle... Man has puzzled over this for many moons. I think it's a combination of both. Maybe we should change it to nature & nurture...
2007-01-17 16:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by purplepartygirrl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can develope a person's personality in both ways.
Nature is unplanned development, no intervention whatsoever. A person will grow and learn basic intstincts in life without nurturing.
Nurture is planned development, intervention strategy selected depending on purpose. A person will grow and learn traits taught to him.
2007-01-17 17:05:24 · answer #10 · answered by Willie Boy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋