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    • Jan 7
    • 2 min read

How do behavior and genetics influence each other?


Baker LA. THE BIOLOGY OF RELATIONSHIPS: WHAT BEHAVIORAL GENETICS TELLS US ABOUT INTERACTIONS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS. De Paul Law Rev. 2007 Spring;56(3):837-846. PMID: 26702156; PMCID: PMC4685725.


While behavior is often considered psychological and neurological, research has found that there is a notable biological aspect to it as well, specifically genetic. Variations in genes, the biological units of DNA that are inherited from parent to child, often dictate factors such as personality, mental health, political ideology, religious beliefs, and intellectual capabilities.


Scientists conducted studies on individuals from two main categories: identical twins, who share 100% of the same DNA, and non-identical twins, who share only approximately 50% of the same DNA. From their studies, they concluded that those with more similar genes (who shared a higher proportion of DNA) were more likely to have similarities in personality, susceptibility to developing psychological disorders, and intellectual capabilities. 


In the past, concepts such as religious ideology or political alignment were thought to be mainly decided by culture and upbringing. However, when these factors were controlled for (meaning they were not a potential factor affecting the results in the studies conducted) it was shown that the amount of engagement with religious practice and the rigidity of belief in a political alignment was largely influenced by genetics.


When analyzing the relationships between children and parents, it was proven that differences in genes often evoke different responses from parents, implying that genetics and parenting styles are intertwined in their effects on children’s development. For example, children with genes that make them naturally more antisocial would be more likely to incite negative responses from parents. These types of influences can be seen throughout generations. In terms of the parenting styles of adult twins, there was a heavy correlation between the amounts of positivity and negativity demonstrated by identical twins.


In families with adopted children, a similar pattern occurs. While research has shown that positive parenting can reduce the levels of violence and aggression in children under 7, these same results did not occur in the case of families with adopted children. Since adopted children don’t share genetic material with their parents who adopted them, this indicates that genetics can override the influence of upbringing and environmental factors in deciding personality traits.


With the impacts of generational trauma being a prevalent issue nowadays, it is important to consider each factor that influences the type of people we become. Whether a result of genetics or our environment, it is our responsibility to end generational cycles from behaviors that we pass down through inherent genetic responses. Furthermore, we can be more understanding of others, such as our family members or even children because in many cases, their personality or identity factors were impacted by genetics. Overall, these findings can help us understand how to better deal with people of varying personalities.


References:


McCollum, E. (n.d.-a). The cultural influences of political engagement. Culturally Modified. https://culturallymodified.org/the-cultural-influences-of-political-engagement/


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