Which is more powerful in shaping us to be who we are, nature or nurture?  This debate stems back thousands of years when the Ancient Greeks would try to theorize what shaped a person’s personality.  Nature refers to our genetics, while nurture refers to our environment and upbringing.  Both are powerful factors in making you the person that you are, with both of these working together to develop your personality and values.  The answer is likely that people are formed by a mixture of these two, with contributing genetics and environment both affecting the final outcome. 

Nature: Genetics that Shape You as a Person

The term nature in this case refers to your genetic make-up.  This assumes that your personality traits, values, and characteristic are genetically wired from your parents, grandparents, and a long lineage of relatives.  It is true that your genes and inherited tendencies play a big role in the person that you become, however this is not the only factor to consider.  Genetics extend beyond just your hair and eye color, height and body build, these are also factors in your personality.  Many children will have similar personality traits to their parents, even those that are not being raised by their biological family. This is a prime example of the importance of nature in forming a person.

Nurture: Environmental Factors That Affect Your Personality

Genetics play a role in who you are, but nurture is also an important part.  This refers to environmental factors that affect you, particularly during the formative years.  Nurture includes your upbringing, family and friends that surround you, your educational background, and the opportunities that are at your disposal.  Those that you are closest to growing up will have a bigger impact on your personality and the person you ultimately become.

Events in Life Can Change Your Personality

Traumatic events and abuse can significantly impact your personality.  This would fall under the nurture category.  Children that are neglected by their parents, abused, or exposed to addiction in the home will likely develop different traits based on these factors regardless of genetics.  Trauma and abuse can significantly impact a developing child, or even an adult, steering them onto a different path than they would have otherwise taken. 

Your Personality is Likely Formed by a Combination of Nature and Nurture

There have been many tests done on twins that were brought up by separate families, further fueling the nature vs. nurture debate.  The likely answer is that your personality is formed by both the genetics that you are born with and the experiences that happen to you throughout your life.  This doesn’t mean your path cannot be altered.  Those born with a predisposition toward alcoholism, or some other addiction, are not in fact destined to become an addict themselves.  Similarly, if you are brought up in a home where addiction was prevalent, you are not destined for this path.  Either scenarios may make you more prone to addiction, but by being aware and taking precautions to prevent from falling into this path, you can break the cycle.