On the preface of it all genetics are the make-up of all we are, inherited from our parents and ancestors in tow it is the fundamentals of who we are, whether we have green or blue eyes, our hair colour and right down to the length of each eyelash. So surely its our collection of genetic material that dominantly influences us as humankind?
Nature vs. Nurture
The age old question aimed at deciphering the complexity of human behaviour does actually provide ample basis for a variety of research.
Behavioural genetics depicts the idea that the domain of the individual is highly influential over their neutron development in addition to behavioural patterns, with a belief that our behaviour is learnt through observations of first and second hand experiences lending weight to the idea that genetics isn't solely the defined of our outcomes. Psychologists Raynor and Watson(1920) found in their Little Albert experiment that humans can be conditioned into behaving/ reacting in a certain way to things they didn't not before through a process called "operant conditioning" through influencing a child to show distress towards a rat they previously hadn't before. Ethical implications aside, the experiment demonstrates the our human behaviour are not completely at the disposition of of genetic build-up but our behaviours are too, malleable in nature.
Additionally, twin studies of identical and non-identical (if you're feeling fancy monozygotic and dizygotic twins) have also revealed in cases of separated identical twins where genetic factors are synched, their behaviours are completely different due to environment- based factors.
MENTAL HEALTH:
That being said, genetic factors still have a huge role in determining our behaviours and even dispositions to mental health conditons that you can thank your great-great-great-grandmother for.
One of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide. Although it can be stemmed from a variety of factors not related to genetics, those with low levels of the hormones dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine all responsible for the effects of happiness and pleasure, are significantly proven to more likely to contend with depression.
The same goes for conditions such as Bipolar disorder, a condition where you experience extreme highs(mania) then extreme lows (depression) with a tendency for low risk evaluation. Predominantly a hereditary condition, the gene DAT1, acts as a dopamine transmitter within the body. Wildly confused with depression, the genetic factor mainly(but not always) determines and exposes those to conditions such as bipolar and ADHD both contributed to by the DAT1 gene.
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