Topic on influence of genes versus developmental experiences on personality
Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 8:44 pm
I have just started IELTS preparation about two weeks ago and I sincerely need someone to critically assess my writing and give me a possible band score as I have no idea where I stand and how an IELTS essay is actually written. Any input will be appreciated.
Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS 5 – Test 4 – Academic writing task 2
Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development that any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major factor?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from you own knowledge or experience.
Biologists have been studying the field of genetic analysis since the late nineteenth century. However not until the completion of the Human Genome Project in the dawn of the twenty-first century, did the subject start attracting the interest of the common man. However, the “Nature versus Nurture” debate between molecular biologists and sociobiologists was instrumental in genetic inheritance gaining worldwide interests.
Gregor Mendel is known as the “Father of modern genetics” and his laws of inheritance resulting from his experiments on pea plants is still applicable today. He described how genes (he called them “traits”) are inherited from parents to offspring. The laws are also applicable to how blue eyes or the tendency to develop cardiovascular diseases is passed down in the family. Even personalities like rowdiness form family traits.
Interestingly, however, the mere possession of a dominant gene will not express unless all environmental cues support its development. Every seed contains all the characteristics for germination and growth. But if harsh environmental conditions persists, some seeds become dormant. Therefore, environmental interferences also determine the development of a trait. The study of monozygotic (identical) twins suggested that although they possess the same identical set of genes however, they may mature into two completely different personalities depending upon their upbringing.
Unfortunately, such studies have led some people to falsely believe that the environment is chiefly responsible for a person’s character. Nevertheless these people find it difficult to explain why all the students in the same class do not score the same marks and follow the same career path considering they all receive the same level of education and guidance.
In conclusion, my personal opinion is that the personality of a person is determined by a fine balance between inherited characteristics and environmental influence. Considerably more research in this area is required to ascertain how the two factors coordinate and which factor contributes majorly.
Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS 5 – Test 4 – Academic writing task 2
Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development that any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major factor?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from you own knowledge or experience.
Biologists have been studying the field of genetic analysis since the late nineteenth century. However not until the completion of the Human Genome Project in the dawn of the twenty-first century, did the subject start attracting the interest of the common man. However, the “Nature versus Nurture” debate between molecular biologists and sociobiologists was instrumental in genetic inheritance gaining worldwide interests.
Gregor Mendel is known as the “Father of modern genetics” and his laws of inheritance resulting from his experiments on pea plants is still applicable today. He described how genes (he called them “traits”) are inherited from parents to offspring. The laws are also applicable to how blue eyes or the tendency to develop cardiovascular diseases is passed down in the family. Even personalities like rowdiness form family traits.
Interestingly, however, the mere possession of a dominant gene will not express unless all environmental cues support its development. Every seed contains all the characteristics for germination and growth. But if harsh environmental conditions persists, some seeds become dormant. Therefore, environmental interferences also determine the development of a trait. The study of monozygotic (identical) twins suggested that although they possess the same identical set of genes however, they may mature into two completely different personalities depending upon their upbringing.
Unfortunately, such studies have led some people to falsely believe that the environment is chiefly responsible for a person’s character. Nevertheless these people find it difficult to explain why all the students in the same class do not score the same marks and follow the same career path considering they all receive the same level of education and guidance.
In conclusion, my personal opinion is that the personality of a person is determined by a fine balance between inherited characteristics and environmental influence. Considerably more research in this area is required to ascertain how the two factors coordinate and which factor contributes majorly.
