My AP Psychology teacher briefly touched on the fact that behavior can be influenced by genetics. This made me wonder.
I understand how genetics can influence physical characteristics, but how can it influence such abstract concepts like instinct and behavior?
In: Biology
Think of it this way. Genes are what influence your physical characteristics. This includes your brain. We don’t know exactly how consciousness works, but it clearly resides in the brain. Therefore, different genes in the brain can cause increased/decreased production of chemicals, which in turn influence your personality. It’s not a huge influence (estimated at 20-60%), and the environment you grow up in plays a much larger role, but you may find yourself more prone to seeking adventure, self discipline, sociability, or depression based on your genes.
Latest Answers