Why is personality genetic?

Answer 1

I wouldn't say it's genetic. However, if you grow up around certain people, I think you're bound to start imitating their behavior. I, at least, haven't seen anything that I would consider genetic, so I'm not saying that's it isn't possible.  

Answer 2

Your genes are simply a code for building your body. "Personality" is a contentious issue: some might argue that it doesn't exist, others, such as Eysenck, that you can only characterise it in terms of extraversion and neuroticism.

However, whatever you believe, your internal body state - blood solutes and natural levels of hormones like testosterone, cortisol, even insulin will affect the way you behave and hence your apparent personality. Your genetics also determine aspects of your neural architecture and literally the "shape" of your mind. Genetics also account for a good proportion of your risk of having a mental disorder.

So,  although your experiences shape you, your genetics account for 50% of who you are by giving you your starting point.

Answer 3

By studying identical twins raised apart, psychologists think that a lot of personality is genetic.  We are born with it, it is not caused by our environment.

I don't think anyone knows why.  There is so much about the brain and the mind that we don't know.

Answer 4

Because predisposition to personality traits can have genetic causes. I.e. extroversion/introversion is linked to cortical arousal. Extroverts have lower arousal levels so need more stimulation. Shyness is linked with the innate low threshold to become distressed and active when exposed to novel stimuli shown in four month olds. (Potential methods by which genes may act to affect these things include: by affecting neurotransmitter levels and efficiency (number/sensitivity of receptors), cortical organization and neuronal threshold).

Personality is not 100% genetic: neuroticism and extroversion show a strong link to genetics when you compare concordance rates in MZ (genetically identical) and DZ (fraternal) twins. However, no personality trait shows a Mendelian inheritance pattern, so is likely to be linked to several different genes. and the genetic influence is also mediated by environmental factors, as none of the concordance rates in DZ twins are 100%

Answer 5

Developing personalities is one of the reasons why we are in such comparison to monkeys. Ever hear the saying monkey say monkey do? Well its the same thing over time except a slower process, adaptation. We form our personality's by our biggest influences whoever and whatever that may be

Answer 6

Behavior genetics is a field in which variation among individuals is separated into genetic versus environmental components. The most common research methodologies are family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies.

Environmental influences can be divided into two classes, shared and nonshared (or unique) environment. Shared environment is the environment shared by siblings reared in the same family. This includes such variables as socioeconomic status and parent education. Nonshared environment is the environment unique to the individual. This includes such variables as peer group.

It is important to note that there is no single gene for intelligence, personality traits, behavior, or even height. Rather, such complex characteristics are polygenic, i.e., they are influenced by multiple genes. The research methodologies mentioned do not tell us which genes are involved, only the relative influence of all genes as opposed to environment. Also, heritability (genetic influence) is a population value; knowing that height, for example, is 90 percent heritable does not tell us that 90 percent of any one person's height is due to genetic influences. Three models of genetic transmission from parents to children exist, one passive model and two evocative models (Reiss, 1997).

Answer 7

I think 85% of it it genetic and the other 15% can be bred according to the lifestyle you're brought up with. Personally, I hate my personality and wish I could be someone else but I guess thats not how it works huh.