Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

The debate over whether innate characteristics or life

experiences

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play a more significant role in shaping an individual’s

personality

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and development has been ongoing for decades.

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it is undeniable that genetic predispositions influence certain aspects of human behaviour, I am convinced that life

experiences

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exert a more substantial and lasting impact.

This

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essay will explore the rationale behind

this

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viewpoint, drawing on both theoretical insights and real-world illustrations.

To begin

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with, human beings possess an extraordinary capacity for change, particularly during formative years.

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some individuals may be born with temperamental tendencies—

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as introversion or extroversion—the extent to which these traits manifest is heavily influenced by their environment.

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, a naturally reserved child who is raised in an encouraging and socially rich setting may gradually develop strong interpersonal skills.

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, an outgoing child exposed to chronic stress or neglect may withdraw socially over time. These contrasting outcomes underscore how experiential factors can either amplify or mitigate inherent traits.

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, education and social interactions serve as pivotal forces in shaping

personality

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. Engaging with diverse perspectives and encountering various life challenges cultivates emotional intelligence, adaptability, and critical thinking—qualities that cannot be solely attributed to genetics. Take,

for example

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, a student who

initially

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underperforms academically but later thrives after receiving guidance from an inspiring teacher.

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a transformation illustrates the profound effect that external influences can have on self-concept and personal development, an outcome that would be unlikely if

personality

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were purely biologically determined.

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, insights from neuroscience lend support to the primacy of experience. The concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new neural pathways—demonstrates that people can evolve in response to their surroundings. Through deliberate effort and reflection, individuals can adopt new behaviours, reframe their emotional responses, and even shift their core values.

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, someone who once displayed little empathy might grow deeply compassionate after caring for an ill family member.

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change cannot be explained by genetic makeup alone. Admittedly, heredity does establish a foundational framework, influencing traits

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as cognitive potential, emotional reactivity, and behavioural tendencies.

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, these inherited characteristics do not exist in a vacuum; they continuously interact with external stimuli. It is

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dynamic interplay, rather than biology in isolation, that truly shapes who we become. In conclusion,

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our genetic inheritance provides the initial blueprint for

personality

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and development, it is life’s

experiences

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that most profoundly sculpt our identity. From early childhood through adulthood, the capacity to grow, adapt, and transform in response to lived

experiences

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is what defines human potential.