What makes 2 people who grew up in the same home so different?

Question

I'm very shy and quiet in social situations like at lunch, or in class groups but my little sister is more outgoing. She makes friends easily and loves to talk on the phone alot She's been to 4 different schools for middle school and I was only in one so that might be a factor, but my parents still say she was more outgoing...even as a toddler. Are we just born that way or what? By the way, Im 15 and shes 14 and shes a couple inches taller than me if it matters.

Answer 1

Your questions is pretty classic: nature vs. nurture. Which one holds more power? In my opinion, each is about 50/50. Each of us have slightly different genes that predisposes us to a certian genetic influence. But how much these genes are expressed (if they're expressed at all) depends a lot on our environment.

There is no "out going gene", in case you were wondering. The case of introvertedness vs. extrovertedness really depends on the way your two were brought up since birth. Factors that could play a part in this include parental attention, support, self-confidence, fear of rejection, and other social/family influences. Also, you and your sister have been through 4 different schools. That could make a very large difference in terms of how you react to this change. For your sister, it could be an way of always meeting new people and perhaps she likes new things in life. But for you, it could mean stability disturbed and always having to adjust. There's no good or bad between this two, it's just that different people adjust differently and the same environment have different effects on different people.

However, aside from environmental factors, your genes are responsible for how tall you are (at least how tall you should be). Stress, lack of sleep, irregular lifestyle, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other factors affect how tall you can grow.

Answer 2

It's been my experience that no two siblings are exactly alike, even identical twins have their differences. I believe that personalities can differ greatly even when coming from the same environment or upbringing. I would say you answered your own question by saying you're just born that way. Every human being has a different genetic makeup. And while you and your sister have different personalities, that's not to say that one is better (or worse) than the other. My two daughters are as different as night and day in their looks, personalities, and goals in life, although raised in the same household by the same parents. Each is unique, and I love them both the same, as I'm sure your parents love you and your sister equally.