The document discusses the influence of nature versus nurture on human behavior and personality. It argues that while genetics play a role, the environment has a stronger influence. A person's environment and upbringing can shape them to be well-adjusted or dysfunctional. Even people genetically predisposed to certain behaviors may not display them depending on their environment. The document also discusses how manipulating genes or environments could impact social groups and cultural development by changing human traits and isolating people from social contexts.

1. Phil DB4
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Human Behavior
Part One
Human behavior and personality are most shaped by a
person environment. Human growth and development is
influenced by a several factors, many of which are beyond our
control (Franco, 2011). While most theories agree it is both
genetics and a persons environment that shape personality if one
was more influential it would be the environment. While a
person may have a genetic tendency to develop a particular

2. behavior or trait, the environment of the person is needed to
shape this behavior or trait. This leads to the age old question
of nature versus nurture. The environment plays a stronger role
because children learn from their environment and are shaped
by what they learn.
Genes may predispose people to a behavior but it is unlikely
this behavior would appear without the influence of the
environment (Saab 2013). A person environment can be loving
and nurturing resulting a happy and well rounded adult or their
environment could have consisted of neglect and abuse resulting
in the adult growing up with certain dysfunctions or
abnormalities. Even though the person with the loving and
nurturing environment was adopted and genetically was passed
a criminal gene does not necessarily mean they will end up
being criminals. On the other hand if the person learned they
come from a family of criminals this could impact their
development.
Part Two
If scientists manipulate genes it could change who people
are and what their culture represents. Genetics lay an important
part in defining different groups in society. If scientists started
manipulating genes these groups may not be as distinctive.
Manipulating genes is considered playing God by some because
these manipulations result in the development of abnormalities
or create damage to the original culture.
If environments were manipulated it would have an impact
on social, work, and cultural environments because every aspect
of an environment can impact human development. For example
if someone manipulates a person social environment by
suddenly removing a teenager from all of their friends and
family and placing them in an environment where there is not
contact with anyone but their parents, the teen would adapt to
the environment but it would cause major changes to their
personality development and the behavior they display. The
same would occur in a work environment or to a greater culture.

3. References
Franco, V. (2011).Environmental Influences on Human Growth
& Development. Retrieved
March 3, 2014 from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/89055-environmental-
influences-human-growth-/
Saab, B. (2013). Genetics Shaped by the Environment and
Linked to Mental Illness: Heritable
and Reversible? Retrieved March 3, 2014 from
http://bbrfoundation.org/brain-matters-discoveries/genetics-
shaped-by-the-environment