Environment, or Heredity as a Contribution to Human Personality - Essay Example

?One of the oldest debates that exist within the realm of psychology and psychological research is whether or not environment or heredity is the mostdeterminant factor in helping to define and decide the way in which human individuality is evidenced. Although this debate has been raging for well over 150 years, advancements in psychology and psychological research have ultimately only added fuel to the fire and provided arguments for and against each approach. Within such an understanding and definition, the reader can come to an appreciable level of understanding that realizing the effect that individual genes have upon defining and explicating a degree of future probability and predisposition is a vital component of understanding human psychology to a more actionable degree. Moreover, three specific components of human behavior and the means by which genes affect these will be discussed. These individual components are as follows; the potential relationship between genes and crime, the potential relationship between genes and homosexuality, and the potential relationship between genes and alcoholism. By analyzing the evidence for each of these, it is the hope of this author that potential linkages and understandings can be better inferred with regards to the relationship between human behavior and genes. By expanding upon these three areas, the focus of this brief analysis will be to provide the reader with a more appreciable level of understanding with regards to whether an “addiction to personality” can be effected by genetics alone. Finally, rather than choosing three negative personality/behavioral traits to analyze, homosexuality was included as a means of potentially discussing the means by which genetic factors can impact in a neutral way in determining human behavior For purposes of societal integrity, perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of genetic predisposition, and the potential existence thereof, is with regards to whether or not individuals who commit crime, or certain types of crime, are perhaps genetically predisposed to such a behavioral exhibition. Once again, only a few short years ago, such a statement or analysis would have been deemed absurd. This is partly to do with the fact that the environmental approach to human behavior had for so long been championed that any other type of approach was deemed as unfit for publication or further discussion (Gomez-Valdes et al, 2013). However, recent studies into the issue have noted key similarities within the genetic makeup of certain criminals. For instance, one study performed in Holland in the early 1990s identified a key missing mitochondrial enzyme that was noted with a very high frequency within the incarcerated population of this nation. Specifically, this mitochondrial enzyme was responsible in regulating neurotransmitters within the brain. Even a cursory level of analysis helps one to realize that the inability of neurotransmitters to operate effectively can create a situation by which serotonin, dopamine or even noradreniline levels can remain at unhealthful levels (Barnes & Jacobs, 2013). Moreover, due to the more broad and complete understanding that current psychological science has with respect to the way in which each of these chemicals impact upon human behavior, and exhibition of the situation in which criminals are genetically predisposed to living in a situation in which these biologically secreted substances remain at unnatural levels is of primal concern. More specifically, the researchers found that within individuals that suffered from MAO-A deficiency, and elevated level of behavioral issues necessarily resulted (Lu et al, 2012). Not surprisingly, these in vault, but were not limited to outbursts of aggression, withdrawn behavior, a lack of belonging, shyness, and many other factors. It must be noted that the linkages between the crimes that these individuals committed and the behavioral qualities of this key deficiency remain unproven. Although a clear and definitive link necessarily exists, it cannot be said that each and every individual that commits a crime is somehow biologically and/or physiologically predisposed to a particular type of behavior due to a deficiency or imbalance of chemical compounds within the brain (Tucker-Drob & Harden, 2013). Such an understanding of course helps to put forward the understanding that a genetic linkage to personality is clearly evidenced; moreover, a clear and unmistakable linkage between criminal action and something of an addictive drive or impulse to utility from these genetic markers is also referenced within such studies. However, if it was the case that elevated or reduced levels of neurotransmitters and their ability to function within the brain was indicative only of criminal predisposition, the case in question would be severely weakened. Needless to say, psychological research and primary understandings of biology indicate that imbalances with these substances in the brain inherently cause behavioral issues for the individual suffers from them. Very much the same way, seeking to provide a linkage between genetic markers and behavioral patterns is not something that specifically applies to criminal behavior alone (Tielbeek, 2012). Rather, due to the fact that chemical imbalance, or the physiological inability to synthesize elements that directly impact upon happiness, self-satisfaction, a sense of inclusion, anger, frustration, and isolation, necessarily places this genetic marker as a potential primary indicator for whether or not an individual will be predisposed to a particular type of antisocial or aggressive activity in the future. Aside from the topic in question, it must be noted, as with all genetic markers, that merely because an individual might exhibit this does not demand that they exhibits signs or symptoms of a particular behavior in question. Such an understanding is of vital importance due to the fact that if society begins to delineate people based upon behavioral markers or indicators prior to action or maturity, a definitive level of human rights will be reduced for all stakeholders. It should be noted that although the particular study in question was concentric upon the criminal population of Holland, no broad studies upon the general population have yet to be conducted. In such a way, it becomes painfully evident that merely noting a genetic abnormality within a specific group of individuals all portray a type of behavior is too small an analysis to lend a great deal of credibility to the proposal/theory that is herein been discussed. It would not be surprising if the same abnormality was noted with regards to individuals within society that suffered from depression, obesity, or any other type of behaviorally influenced compliment. In short, what can be inferred by the study in question, and doubtless a litany of other studies involving similar attributes, is the fact that although it might not be able to be discern whether or not the individual is predisposed to a specific type of behavioral actions in the future, genetic markers nonetheless heavily impacted upon whether or not she behavioral choices and responses to environmental stimuli will ultimately be affected as result of personal experience and physiological reality. Once again, the clear and unmistakeable understanding that is noted is with regards to the fact that a powerful component of personality is determined based upon genetics. A current issue that has garnered a great deal of public interest and debate within the past several decades is with respect to whether or not homosexuality is a choice or whether it is something that is genetically predisposed to occur within a given subset of individuals. Without delving into the political ramifications of this particular argument, it can definitively be said that it is the belief understanding of this author, as a result of the research which has been analyzed, that homosexuality is invariably the result of genetic predisposition (van der Aa, 2010). Whereas finding a psychological unit of analysis that is effective and explicating whether or not environmental choice or genetic heredity markers predisposing individual to homosexuality is difficult, researchers have recently noted that one of the most effective means of analyzing this particular question is by performing studies upon identical and fraternal twins. In such a way, researchers are able to understand the means by which homosexuality exhibited later in life within one of the twins exhibits, or does not exhibit, an increased probability and/or chance that the other twin will also be homosexual. Whereas it is true that such a unit of analysis creates inherent shortcomings, it is one of the most effective that have thus far been engaged with. As a result of this research, scientists have come to the understanding that the chance of an identical twin being homosexual alongside their other sibling is approximately 52% (Zietsch et al, 2010). Whereas this statistic drops to 22% with relation to fraternal twins, such an understanding present’s the reader with a clear identification of the fact that genetic predisposition to homosexuality is both the verifiable and demonstrable within the analyses that have been conducted over the past several years. Although the reader might question why only a 52% increase in homosexual identification takes place within identical twins, this should not be understood as weakening the argument that has been presented. Rather, it merely notes the reality of the fact that predisposition to a particular behavioral element in and of itself does not guarantee that this behavioral element will occur (Marceau, 2012). In very much the same way the previous case discussed warned against the dangers of delineating all individuals that had a certain genetic deficiency with respect to neurotransmitters a criminal, it is also unfair to assume that merely because an individual might be predisposed to being homosexual that they must necessarily, and with all certainty, exhibit homosexual tendencies within their life (Verweij et al, 2009). As such, researchers have noted that individuals have little more of a “choice” as to whether to be homosexual or not as they have with respect to whether they will be right or left handed. This “handedness” debate, as it is called, has angered many in the opposing camp; however, the research points to the fact that it is sound in its interpretation of the evidence. Some scholars have pointed to the fact that in times past children were trained to use their right hand if indeed they were left handed (Harden, 2013). However, regardless of whether or not they came to use their right hand for the rest of their lives, this did not necessarily make them right handed. In an identical way, even if an individual identifies as a homosexual but due to environmental or cultural pressures seeks to live a heterosexual life as a means of maintaining inner peace and external harmony, such an action does not in and of itself identify them as a heterosexual any more than the prior example identified a child as right handed (Burri et al, 2011). Of all of the behavioral components of individuality that have been discussed, it is perhaps it is perhaps the potential linkage between genetics and predisposition to alcoholism that has been the most difficult to prove (Foroud et al, 2011). This is due to several factors; however, perhaps the first and foremost is with respect to the unique level of environmental pollution that has clouded many of the research studies into this topic. What is meant by the term environmental pollution is with regards to the fact that unlike a predisposition to homosexuality and/or a predisposition to crime, a predisposition to our holism is oftentimes evidenced as a result of the environmental factors in which the child is brought up. In short, this creates an addiction likelihood that does not guarantee that particular psychological addiction will result; rather, it exponentially increases the risk that exists for such a psychological or physical addiction to develop in the first place. Whereas it is not necessarily common to find test subjects for analysis who had homosexual parents or relations and early childhood and were thereby predisposed to this behavior in later maturity, it is nonetheless almost impossible to find individuals who are alcoholics that were not exposed to alcoholism and alcohol abuse as children (Korhonen et al, 2012). In such a manner, engaging in this particular level of research and equipping it to the research which has been conducted previously, with respect to homosexuality and predisposition to crime, is something akin to analyzing to somewhat unrelated behavioral compliments. However, recent studies have indicated that genetic similarities between identical twins also correlated to drastically increased risks of alcoholism in the future; even if the identical twins were adopted within the first few months of infancy to new parents (Roewer & Geppert, 2011). One specific gene in question, DRD2, has been synthesized by researchers to be the one most commonly indicated as a genetic predisposition to alcoholism and dependency upon substance abuse. Once again, the mere existence of this specific gene is not a guarantee of alcoholism; rather, it merely increases the risks that an individual, once exposed to alcohol, has a statistically must higher chance of becoming dependent upon it as compared to a person without such a genetic marker (Procopio et al, 2013). As can be preeminently recognized from the research that has thus far been performed, a clear and unmistakable link to the connection between genetics and the formation and representation of personality is also noted with respect to this aspect as well. Although each of the factors that have been discussed is important, the bigger question is what researchers and experts will utilize this information for. As of 2008, then President George W. Bush signed into law a piece of legislation that forbade health care providers and/or insurance firms from utilizing genetic indicators to deny an individual care. Such a stance is of vital importance due to the fact that the information that has been contained within this analysis clearly indicates that genetic factors influence the way in which certain behavior is exhibited. Although none of the specific behavior, with the exception of a potential predisposition to alcoholism, inversely impacts upon the health of the individual, it can readily be noted that a plethora of other genetic factors could be leveraged as a means of denying a person anything from healthcare coverage to a job or many other forms of discrimination. In short, perhaps one of the most profound arguments for the existence of genetic factors influencing human behavior and predisposition to certain activities is not with regards to the actual scientific data that has been conducted upon this very topic; rather, it is with regards to the fact that certain industries and businesses had the potential to utilize this data for the nefarious purpose of denying someone of a particular opportunity or right. First and foremost, what the reader should come away with as a result of the preceding analysis is an understanding of the fact that regardless of the genetic indicators that predispose an individual to a particular behavioral action, such an action is never guaranteed. Environment continues to have a powerful and active role in determining whether or not these behavioral predispositions will ever be realized. As such, seeking to put too much of an emphasis upon the genetic factors as a means of identifying whether or not an individual will act in a certain way can oftentimes yield incorrect results. By very nature, humans seek to reduce each and every situation or issue to its least common denominator. As science advances to delineate the means by which these genetic markers can impact upon the lives of the individuals in question, it will very likely be the case that a very broad range of genetic markers are at least partially responsible for some of the behaviors that are noted; however, that being said, the inherent danger then becomes living in a society or a medical community that seeks to diminish the role of personal choice and/or personal responsibility can play in determining behavior and actions. Finally, from the evidence that has been presented, the reader can gain an actionable understanding for the fact that psychological addiction is not only evidenced with respect to substance abuse; it can impact upon the future decisions and matrices for action that a person chooses to make in their life. As has been discussed, both homosexual tendencies and the disparate activities associated with genetic deviations concerning individuals predisposed to crime can heavily impact upon action and reaction on a psychological level. References Barnes, J. C., & Jacobs, B. A. (2013). Genetic Risk for Violent Behavior and Environmental Exposure to Disadvantage and Violent Crime: The Case for Gene–Environment Interaction. Journal Of Interpersonal Violence, 28(1), 92-120. doi:10.1177/0886260512448847 Burri, A., Cherkas, L., Spector, T., & Rahman, Q. (2011). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Female Sexual Orientation, Childhood Gender Typicality and Adult Gender Identity. 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Shared aetiology of risky sexual behaviour and adolescent misconduct: genetic and environmental influences. Genes, Brain & Behavior, 8(1), 107-113. doi:10.1111/j.1601-183X.2008.00456.x Zietsch, B. P., Verweij, K. H., Bailey, J. M., Wright, M. J., & Martin, N. G. (2010). Genetic and Environmental Influences on Risky Sexual Behaviour and its Relationship With Personality. Behavior Genetics, 40(1), 12-21. doi:10.1007/s10519-009-9300-1 Read More