How Nature And Nurture Affects The Human Behavior Of an Individual

Act Natural! Nature vs. Nurture’s Influence on Behavior of the Human Individual

Life in itself is psychology’s greatest and most fulfilling experiment. Every decision made, action taken, and task completed may at times seem trivial, like pouring the morning coffee or standing awkwardly in the elevator. However, it is not necessarily the things people do that are important, but the reason and purpose behind people’s actions every day. People can go through their daily lives at school and work, either living in a family or raising one.

But how often do people question their very movements? Why do I live in a social group called a family? Why is it awkward to stand in an elevator with strangers? One answer lies behind the general term for why we do what we do: behavior. Behavior is the reason people act the way they do. It gives us the notion to wake up in a bed and put clothes on.

Get quality help now

RhizMan

Verified writer

Proficient in: Nature Versus Nurture

4.9 (247)

“ Rhizman is absolutely amazing at what he does . I highly recommend him if you need an assignment done ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

To nature, putting clothes on in itself is weird; other animals don’t do it. But that what makes human behavior unique; it’s not completely dictated by instinct. People’s behavior often adapt to the environment and experiences they may encounter. Although the genes given by nature may affect our behavior through fear, hunger, and desire, it is environment and experience though past knowledge, surroundings, and nurture itself that defines and influences people as individuals.

As a child, the nursery rhyme of a little itsy bitsy spider climbing up a water spout may have kids allude to the spider as harmless, wanting nothing but to honestly climb up the water spout.

And yet, why do some people end up with arachnophobia while other don’t? In another case, water seems like a safe, clear liquid capable of many tasks. And yet why do people fear water in large bodies but not in glasses from which they partake? Behavior encompasses many aspects of common action, in which fear plays a big role. But, as an individual, fear may not naturally influence a person right away. However, people build on their actions due to their past experiences. A child may not enter into the world initially afraid of spiders, for example, but rather see them as curious. Nature, however, may be the cat that kills our curiosity when we realize the not-so-friendliness of all spiders, but it is because of this experience that we react by adapting our behavior to fear spiders. Thus, the fear of spiders can be unique due to an individual experience and not some trait inherited. Likewise, humans in a paths of life require water to function. A child doesn’t have to fear water from a glass or from a pool. But an unfortunate incident regarding near death experience from almost drowning may stimulate a fear of swimming. People’s behavior change due to their experiences; and just as fears can be unique to a person under exclusive experiences, that leads to unique behavior.

Experiences, such as fears, can add to a person’s individuality. Another aspect that may contribute to a person’s unique behavior can be attributed to one’s own surroundings. Would children act more violently in school if life at home was violent as well? Why do people feel bored when studying in school while happier at parties, knowing learning is more beneficial? Behavior acts as the true essence of a person’s ability and knowledge to adapt to specific known circumstances. Our genes do not tell us to become bored when we study or act cheery in a party or even awkward in a moving elevator. However, through the surroundings and experiences of what people know, going to a party may stimulate more happiness than studying for a test, even if succeeding may be a more promising reward. Nonetheless, nature has not much to say in regards to our individual reactions toward school and fun. In the other example, humans are extremely impressionable. Children learn how to speak and walk with the encouragement of their parents. But children may also learn the sad truth of violence of the home as well. Children may not be born aggressive, but existing in an environment may stimulate the need to fight. Not every child has a bad home, and not every kid is a bully. The environment of a person severely impacts a person’s behavior, although subtly.

A person can sometimes be said to be born with “the right genes”. Traits and characteristics inherited may or may not always be revealed in a person’s behavior. But no matter what, the experiences and surroundings that a person has had to adapt to surely as a more definite influence on one’s behavior. Fears of spiders or water or whatnot cannot be inherited. Aggression of one individual may vary from another. Skills are not born with or gained through heredity; they are learned and practiced. A person may not be able to choose who they are, but can choose what they do. Genes may make a person, but every action and experience made are what truly shapes one.