Considering that the nature-nurture debate is still prominent within psychological studies on personality, it is exceedingly obvious that both genetics and environment are able to significantly influence the comprising of one’s personality. The real essence of the debate itself is not whether it is nature or nurture that forms an individual’s personality; it is deciphering just how much influence each variable has on the configuration of personality. Although psychological research acknowledges the influence of environment on personality, it is suggested that this influence is slightly subordinate to the influence that possessed by genetics. The conclusions drawn from psychological research on composition of personality propose that genetics
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However, despite this acceptance of a dual influence, psychological research also suggests that genetics has a more significant influence on personality than environmental factors does. Thereby suggesting that genetics are the greatest influence on personality. Psychological research that quintessentially illustrates this notion is the Minnesota Twin Study. This psychological study assessed 402 sets of twins, both monozygotic and dizygotic, in which some had been reared together and others apart (Grivas and Carter, 2010). Despite having been reared separately, these sets of monozygotic twins were still alike and displayed high correlations on nearly every personality trait that had been investigated. (Grivas and Carter, 2010). Furthermore, the results obtained from adoption studies also support the notion. Albeit, adoption studies results are not as strong as twin studies but they are still able to display evidence in favour of the notion. In defiance of living with an adoptive parent, the findings from research indicate that adoptees mirror their biological parents personalities than their adoptive parents (Plomin et al, 1998). When analysing the results from both twin studies and adoption studies it becomes apparent that both means of study clearly demonstrate genetics strong influence on personality because they more closely resemble …show more content…
A case study involving monozygotic twins, Stephen and Robert Spahalski further demonstrates genetics superiority to environmental factors in the formation of personality. However, Stephen and Robert Spahalski are not a renowned set of twins because they were associated with psychological studies. Instead, this particular set of twins gained notoriety because as well as being identical twins, they were identical killers. The analysis of the Spahalski twins exceeds the boundaries in questioning the origin of personality but instead begs the question “is evil born or is it made?” (Evil Twins, 2010). The distinguishing factor that segregates the Spahalski brothers from other murderous twins is that rather than working as a team, Stephen and Robert committed their murders individuality at separate times within their lives. Despite the twins losing contact for decades, the murder orchestrated by Stephen at age 16 directly mirrors the murder committed by Robert over 30 years later. Stephen and Robert’s victims were both struck with a hammer and had multiple lacerations to the back. Even though the timeline of these crimes greatly stretches out, law enforcement officers who dealt with Robert’s killing stated that the wounds of both brothers victims were practically identical and that it was like dealing with the same criminal twice (Evil Twins,
However, despite this acceptance of a dual influence, psychological research also suggests that genetics has a more significant influence on personality than environmental factors does. Thereby suggesting that genetics are the greatest influence on personality. Psychological research that quintessentially illustrates this notion is the Minnesota Twin Study. This psychological study assessed 402 sets of twins, both monozygotic and dizygotic, in which some had been reared together and others apart (Grivas and Carter, 2010). Despite having been reared separately, these sets of monozygotic twins were still alike and displayed high correlations on nearly every personality trait that had been investigated. (Grivas and Carter, 2010). Furthermore, the results obtained from adoption studies also support the notion. Albeit, adoption studies results are not as strong as twin studies but they are still able to display evidence in favour of the notion. In defiance of living with an adoptive parent, the findings from research indicate that adoptees mirror their biological parents personalities than their adoptive parents (Plomin et al, 1998). When analysing the results from both twin studies and adoption studies it becomes apparent that both means of study clearly demonstrate genetics strong influence on personality because they more closely resemble …show more content…
A case study involving monozygotic twins, Stephen and Robert Spahalski further demonstrates genetics superiority to environmental factors in the formation of personality. However, Stephen and Robert Spahalski are not a renowned set of twins because they were associated with psychological studies. Instead, this particular set of twins gained notoriety because as well as being identical twins, they were identical killers. The analysis of the Spahalski twins exceeds the boundaries in questioning the origin of personality but instead begs the question “is evil born or is it made?” (Evil Twins, 2010). The distinguishing factor that segregates the Spahalski brothers from other murderous twins is that rather than working as a team, Stephen and Robert committed their murders individuality at separate times within their lives. Despite the twins losing contact for decades, the murder orchestrated by Stephen at age 16 directly mirrors the murder committed by Robert over 30 years later. Stephen and Robert’s victims were both struck with a hammer and had multiple lacerations to the back. Even though the timeline of these crimes greatly stretches out, law enforcement officers who dealt with Robert’s killing stated that the wounds of both brothers victims were practically identical and that it was like dealing with the same criminal twice (Evil Twins,