Risk-Taking
It is established that biological differences can influence one’s behavior. According to some studies, some specific genes may be the reason for certain behavioral patterns and choices. For instance, the gene, called neurod2, is said to have the purpose of controlling one’s ability to assess the riskiness of a situation (ScienCentral, 2006). According to the information in the video, the presence of this gene affects the way various animals or people perceive dangerous actions (ScienCentral, 2006). Neurod2 is present in all humans. However, its functioning seems to be different as people respond differently to various risky behaviors. This example is an excellent illustration of how one’s biological background may influence his or her behavior. People have many genes, a combination of which may bring various results. Thus, one’s genetic structure may contribute to one’s personality. The example mentioned above shows that the person’s environment and upbringing are not the only reasons behind one’s actions.
Biology offers a case of different behavioral choices of people during various stages of life. For example, children and adolescents may perform some actions that would be considered dangerous or irresponsible by adults due to their amygdala being more mature than the frontal lobes of the brain. Amygdala is the part of the brain that is responsible for emotion processing. Thus, teenagers respond more actively to both negative and positive emotions, which may lead to them choosing to engage in risky behavior or indulge in short-lasting pleasures. According to Harden et al. (2017), adolescent risk-taking is based on the imbalance of young people’s cognitive control and incentive processing. Therefore, while the environment of a child or adolescent has some influence on one’s behavior, genetic predisposition along with the specifics of the growing organism also contribute to one’s personality. Furthermore, Nonaka et al. (2014) write that various genes may affect one’s susceptibility to cognitive disgorgers and sensitization to some substances. Biology plays a significant part in determining one’s personality and contributing to the creation and maintaining of individual and group behavioral patterns.
Why is it important to study behaviors that are specific to one’s age or stage of development?
Twin Behavior
The studies of twin behavior raised together and apart yield significant results, which can be used for further research. The example of Jim Lewis and Jim Springer shows that many of the choices that the two men made through the course of their lives were likely based on their genetic background. For example, Neer (2014) writes that both men suffer from headaches and have a habit of biting nails. These conditions can be explained by genetics, as migraines and similar conditions may be hereditary. For example, according to Verhulst, Neale, and Kendler (2015), alcohol use disorders have a level of heredity that exposes both twins to the same probability of suffering from the condition. While the authors agree that the surrounding environment can also influence one’s susceptibility to alcohol misuse, they argue that genetic predisposition plays a significant part in one’s health. Thus, some similarities that the two brothers have been expected. Moreover, other examples included in the article can be explained by the twins’ genetic structure as well. For example, the habit of Debbie Mehlman and Sharon Poset to cross their eyes may be a natural response of their bodies to experiencing positive emotions.
However, some of the choices that Lewis and Springer made should be viewed with caution. For instance, it is possible that the two men chose the same car because of the car’s advertising campaign or affordability. Furthermore, the names of their wives can be explained by the possible popularity of these names during the time of their birth. The choice of cigarettes and beverages may also be defined by marketing and product accessibility. While the range of these similarities may be striking, one should take into account the notion of geographical and societal similarities that can influence one’s living conditions. Vukasović and Bratko (2015) note that twins are more likely to have the same personality traits than other family relatives. However, the results of studies that explore twins’ similarities are rather uneven. Thus, while the case of Jim Lewis and Jim Springer shows that genetics are responsible for some of the people’s personality aspects, it is unreasonable to exclude the influence of the environment.
Which reasons can one give to explain why separated twins choose the same profession or occupation?
References
Harden, K. P., Kretsch, N., Mann, F. D., Herzhoff, K., Tackett, J. L., Steinberg, L., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2017). Beyond dual systems: A genetically-informed, latent factor model of behavioral and self-report measures related to adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 25, 221-234.
Neer, K. (2014). The other Minnesota twins – how twins work. Web.
Nonaka, M., Kim, R., Sharry, S., Matsushima, A., Takemoto-Kimura, S., & Bito, H. (2014). Towards a better understanding of cognitive behaviors regulated by gene expression downstream of activity-dependent transcription factors. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 115, 21-29.
ScienCentral. (2006). Fearless gene: ScienCentral news video [Video file]. Web.
Verhulst, B., Neale, M. C., & Kendler, K. S. (2015). The heritability of alcohol use disorders: A meta-analysis of twin and adoption studies. Psychological Medicine, 45(5), 1061-1072.
Vukasović, T., & Bratko, D. (2015). Heritability of personality: A meta-analysis of behavior genetic studies. Psychological Bulletin, 141(4), 769-785.