Human personality: developed or innate?
- Si Eun
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
Is personality in our DNA?
By: SiEun, Year 10
Mencius and Neo-Confucian scholars argued that human nature is inherently good and that individuals should possess qualities such as benevolence, wisdom, and good nature. However, observing the selfish and individualistic behavior of young children raises questions about the validity of this theory. It can be argued human nature cannot simply be defined as either good or evil, so what is the original nature of humans? Some argue that a person’s innate personality cannot be changed and that "people do not change." Due to their experiences and failed efforts, people may stop trying to improve or change their personality. However, is personality innate or developed?
To understand the essence of a human being, we must first define what personality is. Professor Dan McAdams, an American psychologist, argues that a person's personality is the result of temperament, personality, and various life stories. This is because humans are constantly changing and adapting to different situations. In 2008, a study by Alemand, Robert, Jim Frick, Morochel, and Hendrix evaluated more than 50,000 people in 92 studies, showing as people age, they become more active, dominant, social, and open to new experiences. These traits are retained throughout adulthood and diminish in late adulthood. The research indicates that personality is the characteristic thoughts and feelings that distinguish an individual from others and that it changes continuously over time and in different situations.
Personality can shape a person's appearance, habits, and life depending on their upbringing and the people around them. A study of twins separated at the age of two demonstrated the impact of the environment on personality. Twin A grew up in a loving household in Korea, while Twin B grew up in the strict environment of the United States with high levels of family conflict. Despite their genetic similarities, the study revealed a significant IQ difference of 16 between them. This was certainly surprising as it was common for twins to have an IQ difference no larger than 7. Additionally, while their language skills and memory were similar, their perception speed and reasoning scores were vastly different. This research shows that personality can be influenced by the environment, even when individuals have identical DNA.
Personality can also change or develop due to external stimuli or trauma. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud believed that behavior and personality are the result of conflicting psychological forces operating at different levels of awareness: the preconscious, conscious, and unconscious minds. For individuals to maintain a consistent sense of self, the human ego constructs personality from information in the conscious and unconscious mind. For instance, a child exposed to prolonged verbal and physical abuse may develop heightened sensitivity and anxiety due to the fear of potential harm, shaping a personality different from their original self.
While changing an individual's personality is no easy task, it is evident that personality is always evolving due to various factors such as upbringing and external stimuli. Some claim that personality is innate and unchangeable, but this is incorrect. Therefore, individuals can improve their personality through dedicated effort and time. Effort and time are crucial because most personality traits are naturally developed over time. To change your personality, you must consistently and diligently alter your thought patterns and habits. With enough effort, the modified personality may become your true self, so people should be tenacious because it is absolutely possible for an individual to develop different personalities and try to become the best best version of themselves.
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