Homosexuality, Addictions, Intelligence: Nature or Nurture
The long standing debate as to what greatly influences certain behaviors of person has not reached a compromised. Psychologists and scientists alike have different stands on the issue which had stirred various controversies among different sets of professionals.
It has been a convention that scientist lean on the belief that a person’s sexuality, intelligence and behaviors are brought about by the composition of one’s genes, however, there are still a number who believes that the environment there are born with or where they belong has an influence on how one behaves. (NatureorNurture.com) The nativists (nature), those who believe that one’s behavior are hereditary, assumes that different characteristics of species is a result of the unique genetic code. If later on in life, they show observable differences, this is a result of the process of maturation. Maturation for them is what governs the behavior of a person even their intellectual capacity. On the other hand, the empiricists, believed that the behavior of a person is a result of his experiences in life. The live with the assumption that upon birth, the mind is empty which is slowly filled why he lives. The changes in his behavior is a result of the his interactions with the environment.(McLeod, 2007)
After reading several arguments regarding these issues I came to the conclusion that although, the behavior of a person is influenced by his genes, this is just minimal. A major part of how a person behaves is due to the environment he has. Intelligence may be the most affected by genetics however, environment plays a big part on the development of the brain. If a child has a mother who is on drugs or drinks alcohol while pregnant, there is a big possibility that the child’s brain will be affected. Also, the environment where these children are raised also plays a big role. Intelligence can be enhanced.
In terms of a person’s sexuality, I believe that it is their choice. The environment plays a big role in the sexuality of a person. A boy living surrounded by gays have a more probability of becoming gays too because that is what they see and they are used to. Sometimes, guys are pressured to behave in a certain way because that is the norm they have. However, it is also a matter of personal choice. If one is determined to remain straight amidst living in an all gay community, then no one can forced that person to change his behaviors.
Most children of families with alcoholic parents have a higher tendency to become alcoholics too. However, this cannot be generalized because there are some people who are surrounded by alcoholics but they remain “allergic” to alcohol. This can be a result of their environment. They may have seen the bad effects of alcohol around them so they vowed not to taste alcohol. Again, this is just a matter of personal choice. Alcoholism, in my view has nothing to do with the composition of one’s genes.
A person’s environmental background must always be considered when making policies, because it has a big influence on the behavior of a person. For example, in school, teachers must conduct a background study of their pupils to be able to fully understand their behaviors. They may have come from a bad environment where they have no power to avoid. Their lack of interest in studying may have been because the student’s household is not supporting his studies.
90% of how human beings behave can be attributed to the choice he have, which is influence by the environment he is with, while only 10% of who a person is, is determined by genes he carries.
References:
Jongsma, Jenniffer (2007). DNA & Behavior: Is Our Fate in Our Genes?. Retrieved on 27 February 2012 from http://www.dnafiles.org/programs/dna-behavior
NatureorNurture.com (2012). Nature versus Nurture: Genetics and Environment. Retrieved on 27 February 2012 from http://www.nurture-or-nature.com/articles/nature-versus-nurture/index.php
McLeod, Saul (2007). Nature Nurture in Psychology. Retrieved on 27 February 2012 from http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html
