nature or nuture?

[nickel]

what do you think influences the way we behave more our genes or our environment?

[Fas-ligand]

both

:)

[Speedfreak]

I don't know, but nurture is also a good influence. ;)

[InfiniteNothing]

The way we act? good question. Now chimps share 99% of our DNA but I'm not so sure that act a whole lot diffrent than us. I wonder how much of our lives are teachable to them like putting on cloths and such. If you think about the diffrence between wild dogs and domestic pets...they act way diffrent. So I guess my final answer would have to be nurture

[johnnymk]

Our sinful nature.

You can't blame your behavior on genes or the environment. But I will admit that if you have crummy parents or friends that are out in left field, then you will more than likely turn out worse than usual.

[nickel]

Originally posted by chosenfool
sex.

that was not a choice :P
















but still a good one...

[OC]

Nurture

[nickel]

but what about someone like Jeffrey Dahmer? he seemed to have a normal upbringing.

and is there such a thing as a "natural born killer"?

[OC]

I think that people like him are the exception, not the rule.

It's not as black and white as Nature or Nuture - there are big shades of gray to consider. But I think that, overall - behaviorally speaking, that our environment (nurture) has a more profound effect on the people we become than our genes.

[nickel]

i agree totally :)

[cruelpupet]

80% enviornment 20% genetic

[yippiekiyeh]

Both play a part, but by far kids learn the most from their parents.

[RoniMan]

i believe both factors re-enforce each other. so i would go with both.

[Napoleon54]

I believe that genetic compliment can predispose one for certain personality traits, but it is one's environment and personal experiences which determine the manifestation of those potentials. A child born to a family of mean and nasty people, if raised in a neutral environment, will likely develop a similar disposition as an adult. That's not to say that we're all doomed to a personality determined by our genes. If that same child is raised with and taught kindness and compassion, he/she will most likely develop a kind disposition.

However, the basic things that we all have in common such as desires to have sex, eat, protect our young, etc (and the actions that arise from said desires) are ingrained and instinctual, and thus are primarily genetic.

[Joshua]

Environment. If I wasnt' so deprived of sex when I was younger, I wouldn't be so horny now..

Just a thought anyway.

[whitak24]

Originally posted by Napoleon54
I believe that genetic compliment can predispose one for certain personality traits, but it is one's environment and personal experiences which determine the manifestation of those potentials. A child born to a family of mean and nasty people, if raised in a neutral environment, will likely develop a similar disposition as an adult. That's not to say that we're all doomed to a personality determined by our genes. If that same child is raised with and taught kindness and compassion, he/she will most likely develop a kind disposition.
good analysis, imo.

[molecularfire]

Both with relative percentages varying depending on what exactly is the trait we're talking about.

[zenbooty]

You mean its not alien x-rays beamed from space making me act like this? :eek2:

[molecularfire]

It is, but that counts as nurture... or was that nuture... depends on where the beam is aimed. :P

[guiseppewv]

Originally posted by Napoleon54
I believe that genetic compliment can predispose one for certain personality traits, but it is one's environment and personal experiences which determine the manifestation of those potentials. A child born to a family of mean and nasty people, if raised in a neutral environment, will likely develop a similar disposition as an adult. That's not to say that we're all doomed to a personality determined by our genes. If that same child is raised with and taught kindness and compassion, he/she will most likely develop a kind disposition.

However, the basic things that we all have in common such as desires to have sex, eat, protect our young, etc (and the actions that arise from said desires) are ingrained and instinctual, and thus are primarily genetic.

That is a very good description. :) I agree with you for the most part but I know a few people who come from nasty environments with, let's say, less than ideal family members who have turned out very well, with all things considered. I think they are exceptions to the rule but they definately exist.

[cheapie]

both. i'm intelligent because of my genetics but am well-behaved enough to not flaunt it because of my upbringing.:heh:

[InfiniteNothing]

I think saying both avoids the question. Which influences us MORE?

[welfareloser]

Originally posted by molecularfire
Both with relative percentages varying depending on what exactly is the trait we're talking about.

:stupid:


Originally posted by InfiniteNothing
I think saying both avoids the question. Which influences us MORE?

the question is unanswerable... it's too simple and too vague. specific traits, you can start quantifying. overall, it's simply "both."

[cheapie]

i think intelligence is almost entirely due to nature. however, discipline, attitude, and behavior is mainly a product of nurture.

[InfiniteNothing]

Originally posted by welfareloser


:stupid:



the question is unanswerable... it's too simple and too vague. specific traits, you can start quantifying. overall, it's simply "both."

The trait posed in the question is behavior. Why do humans act the way we do? Are our actions influencted more often/more strongly by genetics or how we are brought up. I think a follow up question is "is there such a thing as human nature that trancends time?"

[topane]

Originally posted by InfiniteNothing
The trait posed in the question is behavior. Which behavior? Sexual? Social? Eating habits?

Why do humans act the way we do? Are our actions influencted more often/more strongly by genetics or how we are brought up. It's been mentioned above that genetics give you a potential toward one trait or another, but the world around you will either bring out or suppress that potential. Which traits are influenced more by nature or more by interaction? That question is far from being answered.

I think a follow up question is "is there such a thing as human nature that trancends time?" There is such a thing as human nature just as there is dog nature and cat nature and worm nature. Humans are as any other animal and have certain biological needs - food, sleep, sex. Transcending time? I don't think so. Human nature is what it is - the way our species survives and prospers in its surroundings.