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An introduction to how our genes and our environment work together to shape us.
Have you ever wondered why you have your mom's smile but your best friend's favorite hobby? It is because you were born with a 'starter kit' of traits, but the world around you is helping you build the rest of your story!
Every person starts with a set of instructions called genes. These are passed down from your biological parents. Think of genes like a recipe book for your body. They determine your inherited traits, which are physical features you are born with, such as your eye color, hair texture, or how tall you might grow. In psychology, we often call this 'nature.' It is the part of you that is set before you are even born. While you can change your hair color with dye, your natural hair color is a gift from your ancestors stored in your DNA.
1. Look at a photo of a baby and their parents. 2. Notice the baby has the same nose shape as the father. 3. Notice the baby has the same ear shape as the mother. 4. These are inherited traits because the baby did not have to 'practice' having a nose or ears!
Quick Check
If a professional basketball player has a daughter who is born very tall, is her height an inherited trait or a learned behavior?
Answer
It is an inherited trait.
While genes provide the blueprint, your environment builds the house. In psychology, environment means everything and everyone around you. This includes your family, your school, the food you eat, and even the neighborhood you live in. Your environment teaches you learned behaviors. These are things you aren't born knowing, like how to tie your shoes, how to speak a language, or how to be kind to others. We call this 'nurture.' Your surroundings influence your habits, your likes, and your dislikes every single day.
1. A baby is born with the ability to make sounds (inherited). 2. The baby grows up in a home where everyone speaks Japanese (environment). 3. The baby eventually speaks Japanese fluently (learned behavior). 4. The environment 'nurtured' the natural ability to speak into a specific skill.
Quick Check
What is the psychological definition of 'environment'?
Answer
Environment refers to all the external surroundings, people, and experiences that influence a person's development.
Most of what makes you 'you' is a mix of both genes and environment. Imagine you have a natural talent for rhythm (genes). If your parents buy you a drum set and find you a teacher (environment), you might become an amazing drummer! However, if you never see a drum in your life, that talent might stay hidden. This is called gene-environment interaction. Your 'nature' gives you potential, and your 'nurture' helps you reach it. You are not just a product of one or the other; you are a beautiful combination of both working together.
Consider a fast runner: 1. Nature: They inherited long legs and fast-twitch muscles from their parents. 2. Nurture: They live near a park and have a coach who teaches them how to breathe while running. 3. Result: The combination of 'fast' genes and 'good' environment creates a champion sprinter.
Which of the following is an inherited trait?
In psychology, what does 'nurture' refer to?
A learned behavior is something you are born already knowing how to do.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to list three things about yourself that are inherited (like eye color) and three things that are learned (like a hobby).
Practice Activity
Interview a family member! Ask them which traits they think you 'inherited' from them and which habits you 'learned' by watching them.