Genetics Determines Human Behavior - Essay Sample

Introduction

Do you wonder why you share a similar personality with your parents? At one point in life, people behave in the same manner as their relatives and some do not even realize it. In the last few years, the topic of the relationship between genetics and human behavior has been raising numerous controversies. It is said that human behavior is determined by genetics which the inner trait people inherit from their parents. However, studies conducted by Plomin et al., (2016) show that the environments in which we live in determine our behaviors. Although the study of genes is an elephant one many researchers have tried to find specific genes that are related to behavior personalities to demonstrate the relationship between genetics and human conduct (Plomin, 5). Genetics determines our behaviors such as sexual orientation, intelligence, vulnerability to violence and other antisocial conduct. They also influence the tendencies towards novelty-seeking and extraversion. According to Plomin et al., (2016) genetics determined behaviors in 10,000 pairs of twins. The meta-analysis demonstrated that there were similar behaviors in identical twins come in fraternal twins. Some people argue that genetics do not determine human behavior but other factors such as culture, environment and biological. Although these factors may influence human behavior, genetics is the main determinant as these characters are carried by the DNA which is transferred from parents to children.

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Many aspects may be inherited for instance height, physical appearance, obesity, skin and eyes color among others can be inherited from not only parents but also their ancestors. Gene is composed of DNA that pre-determines our characters, for instance, intelligent students sometimes claim that they inherited it from their parents. The study on twin both fraternal and identical shows that genetics determine behaviors such as psychopathology, personality, health psychology, cognitive abilities and disabilities, substance use, and abuse.

Every human has a unique nature of cognitive development. For instance, a child whose parents are supposedly highly intelligent is likely to show the high levels of brain capacities and quicker developments than others. On the other hand, the development of a prematurely born child may delay compared to the full-term children. Moreover, the brain capacities of these children may somehow delay to develop and do so at a slow rate. Also, cognitive developments may be hindered by differences in the individuals as some talents may not be in the genetic line of a family (Dubnau, 120). Humans have a unique emotional personality regarding birth. One individual may be born with the character of expressing his or her feelings easily, while another may only act out and show an outburst. At school, children possess various temperaments and the preschool teachers should identify these and develop strategies to help the pupils to build control and management of their temperaments. Most children at the ages two through five can express emotions through fear and frustration, which are sometimes expressed as hunger and violence. The recognition of these states in children can help them in developing compassion as well as emotional intelligence (Shiner, Rebecca and Avshalom Caspi 15).

An attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may not be a disease but a brain-based syndrome that interferes with certain functions of the brain and the associated behaviors. ADHD impacts the way a child behaves and interacts with others in his or her everyday life. Some of the symptoms include interference with memory, effort and motivation, hyperactivity, social skills, impulsivity, and learning. Suspecting or hearing that a child is suffering from ADHD should initiate the diagnosis process immediately so as to help in its management. Sometimes, Dyslexia may co-occur with ADHD, and these may severely impact the ability to read, write, and understanding classroom instructions. ADHD can only be diagnosed by evaluating the parents, teachers, and pediatrics regarding the history of the child's health present and past, social situation, and how he or she functions both at home and at school (Zahn-Waxler, Elizabeth and Kristine Marceau 279).

Autism is another developmental disability that affects children's world of perception. It also leads to the problems of communication skills with repetitive as well as rigid behaviors, impairments in developmental languages and social behaviors. Autism limits a life that would otherwise be a normal one and may sometimes need institutional care as a treatment measure. The expert who can diagnose children with developmental disorders are pediatricians, pediatric neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical psychologists, mental health counselor, and child psychiatrists among others. Children with abnormal development behaviors can be helped through cognitive behavioral therapy to improve behavior and attitudes of children, development improvement drugs, behavior, and social skills management, educational therapy, and organizational coaches (Shiner, Rebecca and Avshalom Caspi 15).

Genetics does not determine human behavior as children copy them from others. According to Albert Bandura children learn by watching what the others are doing, for instance, if an individual sees a person being awarded for a certain behavior, he or she will tend to behave in the same manner to receive an award. Different theorists have broadly described personality development, and they include Walter Mischel and Albert Bandura. Personality is brought about by the standard of reciprocal determinism that states that people's internal factors, their behaviors, and their environment affect one another. The mental events which are internal, overt behavior and the external events which are the environment affect each other to determine an individual personality. Personal factors that influence one's personality include the different cognitive and biological process that makes up the psychological person (Bandura, p. 66). The surrounding or environment aspects include current opportunities and incentives, physical attributes, and the cultural context. The surrounding shape individuals while at the same time the environment may shape it too. The interaction between people causes others to emulate the behaviors of others, and they acquire the same personality. Factors which are personal for instance, self-appraisals and values are in most cases determined by the environment which affects how people view themselves. The influence of environment an individual personality affects the people's beliefs.

Second, every child has a unique emotional personality regarding from birth. One individual may be born with the character of expressing his or her feelings easily, while another may only act out and show an outburst. At school, children possess various temperaments and the preschool teachers should identify these and develop strategies to help the pupils to build control and management of their temperaments. Most children at the ages two through five can express emotions through fear and frustration, which are sometimes expressed as hunger and violence. The recognition of these states in children can help them in developing compassion as well as emotional intelligence (Shiner, Rebecca and Avshalom Caspi 15).

Sometimes, a child's personality has an influence on his or her social attribute. One child can be so outgoing whereas another is more reserved and shy. An outgoing person seems to talk a lot and make many friends, whereas an introvert struggles to be social and interact with his or her peers. Sometimes, such children only rely on the friend of their close friends for a companion when they tag along. A school teacher should take a responsibility to help reserved individuals in class through organizing for group work, introducing compulsory play time, and create a culture of collaboration and teamwork to help the students connect with each other (Dweck 3). Parents and teachers can sometimes realize that when children are left to play alone, some will often prefer to play alone or exclude themselves from others.

Conclusion

In conclusion genetics is the major cause of human behaviors although factors such as culture and environment also determine how people express themselves. Programs that foster positive relationship should be established in schools and also at homes. These programs create an environment that allows male adolescents to interact with a positive peer who has no negative influence on them. They include vocational, recreational and educational activities. They help male adolescents to restructure their time and only establish positive interactions. The programs also provide the youths with skills that improve their overall quality of life (Zahn et al., 2009). They include career exploration and seeking rehabilitation services.

References

Dubnau, Josh, ed. Behavioral Genetics of the Fly (Drosophila melanogaster). Cambridge University Press, 2014.Plomin, Robert, et al. "Top 10 replicated findings from behavioral genetics." Perspectives on psychological science11.1 (2016): 3-23.

Shiner, Rebecca, and Avshalom Caspi. "Personality differences in childhood and adolescence: Measurement, development, and consequences." Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 44.1 (2003): 2-32.