When you have a question, its always best to turn to a subject matter expert for answers. In our blog series, Ask An Expert, National University staff and faculty members take turns answering challenging questions in their areas of expertise. This time we ask psychology professor, Dr. Brenda Shook, Is human behavior genetic or learned?
Nature vs. nurture. Its an age-old debate: Do we inherit our behaviors, or do we learn them? Are our habits hereditary, or did we pick them up along the way?
If you were to ask Dr. Brenda Shook, psychology professor, and academic program director at National University, Is human behavior genetic or learned? shed reply: Thats the wrong question to ask.
Shook says the question we should be asking is, To what extent is a particular behavior genetic or learned?
Its pretty clear that physical traits like the color of our eyes are inherited, but behavior is more complicated. Shook says, Its a complex interaction between genetics and environment.
Shook uses singing as an example. Someone could be an excellent singer, but is that talent genetic or what it learned? Its both, she says. Maybe this person doesnt necessarily have a good singing voice, but her brain is wired to be able to learn and remember. So her genetics might have made voice lessons more effective.
Diving a little deeper into the biological realm, she explains that we dont inherit behavior or personality, but rather we inherit genes. And these genes contain information that produces proteins which can form in many combinations, all affecting our behavior. Even with this DNA, Shook says of the outcome, and it still could depend on the environment: what will turn on and off a gene?
Shook said theres a growing interest in how, when, and why some genes activate, and some dont. She refers to this area of research as epigenetics.
The American Psychological Association defines epigenetics as the study of how variation in inherited traits can originate through means other than variations in DNA. Psychology Today contributor Darcia F. Narvaez puts it into simpler terms: In other words, the lived experience of an individual can influence their gene behavior.
Epigenetics involves looking at the epigenome, which scientists describe as a layer of chemical tags wrapped around our protein-covered DNA. The epigenome marks can influence the physical structure of the genome, which in turn can dictate which genes are active or inactive. While our DNA code doesnt change, the epigenome can. Specific tags can react to outside influences, which can adjust how the body reads that gene.
Shook says one of the most compelling reasons for studying epigenetics is cancer research. With a greater understanding of the epigenome, could we one day alter genes to prevent disease? This possibility is stirring excitement in the medical community; however, it has also brought up ethical concerns. Still, epigenetics is probably the most relevant places to which we can look for answers to questions like: Is human behavior genetic or learned?
(If youre fascinated by this topic, you might also like our article, Can human behavior be studied scientifically?
Some people take their curiosity about human behavior in a more scientific direction, such as a career in academic, scientific, or medical research. Typically, though, people are interested in the study of human behavior as it pertains to everyday life. Graduate online degree programs in this subject area appeal to people in a wide range of professions and positions, from sales managers and marketing analysts to human resource directors and law enforcement officers. An understanding of human behavior is beneficial in the workplace in many ways. Not only can it help people perform their current duties better, but also it could help someone advance into a management or supervisory role.
Studies in human behavior, such as in Nationals Master of Arts in Human Behavior Psychology, will cover topics such as:
While human behavior studies are often associated with psychology, other fields also explore the human condition: sociology, anthropology, communication, and criminology. Some masters programs, such as Nationals, allow you to take electives in these areas. The study of human behavior at the graduate level can also serve as a foundation for related Ph.D. programs.
While not everyone who studies human behavior goes to the molecular level, the research will continue to inform the field. And theres a lot more to discover.
Just when we start to figure something out, something else comes along, Shook says.
Perhaps not having a solid answer to Is human behavior genetic or learned? is what makes the field so enticing.
If you or your current or desired career could benefit from a broader understanding of what makes people who they are, explore Nationals social sciences and psychology degree programs, with many available online.
About our Expert: Dr. Brenda Shook is an associate professor and academic director for the bachelor of arts in psychology program at National University. She has a masters degree in psychology, with a specialization in psychophysics, from California State University, Stanislaus. Shook earned a Ph.D. in psychology, with a specialization in biological psychology and neuroscience, from Brandeis University, and then completed six years of postdoctoral training: two years at UC Davis and four years at UCLA. At UC Davis, she studied prenatal brain development, and at UCLAs medical school she studied postnatal brain development, brain plasticity, and neurophysiology.
Prior to joining the faculty at National, Shook taught at Mount Saint Marys College, where she also served as chair of the department of psychology.
More here:
Is Human Behavior Genetic or Learned? | National University
- The Feedback Loop: Ecological Damage Soon Beyond Control [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2011]
- Human Genetic Engineering [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- GENETICS ENGINEERING RESEARCH AT IUSOM - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Genetic Manipulation And Its Impact On The Human Species 5/8 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering: Do or Die (Chapter 1) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Minipulation Replacments Humans and Disclosure. - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Homo Sapiens are a Product of Alien Genetic Engineering - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- China Engineers Genetically Modified Cows To Produce Human Breast Milk - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering on Children has already begun - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- The Coming Replacement Humans - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- Genetically Engineering Intelligent Babies - Horizon: Are We Still Evolving? Preview - BBC Two - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- Prof. Stuart Newman on human genetic modification (Pt.2) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 22nd, 2011]
- The Ethics of Genetically Engineering Children - Arthur Caplan - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- 2012 UFO's ALIEN HUMANS GENETICALLY ENGINEERED BY ALIEN RACE LLOYD PYE - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- First Human Drug from Genetically Engineered Animals Approved - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- The Known Genome Of Species - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- Engineering Our Children - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2011]
- GENETIC ENGINEERING HUMANITY INTO A LIVING HELL (3 OF 4) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Monsanto's Crimes Against Humanity with Jeffrey M. Smith P 1-2 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- Genetic Modification - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 28th, 2011]
- Papers On Ethical Issues, ethical issues , the office ethical , The Office Ethics - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2011]
- Lloyd Pye - Ancient Genetic Engineering - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2011]
- GENETIC ENGINEERING HUMANITY INTO A LIVING HELL(1 OF 4) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2011]
- NWO SUPER HUMANS - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2011]
- Damn Dirty Humans (Apes-vs-Robots @ Movie Smackdown!) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Alex Jones - David Icke: The Blue Bloods [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Genetically modified cow for human breast milk (10 Jun 2011) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Barcode Babies And The Bio-Engineering of Humanity - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - Kill Leon S. Kennedy Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - E3 2011 gameplay part 2 Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Animal/human hybrid experimentation in ancient times - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering - Knowledge Base | Lecture 1.0 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- PANDEMONIUM'S ENGINE - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - E3 2011 gameplay part 1 Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- Interview with James M. Wilson, MD, Ph.D. (U. Penn) - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- Marshall Klarfeld - The Extraterrestrial Origins of Humanity - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- # 834 10 Ways the Scientific Dictatorship Aims to Modify Human Beings - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- Human Genetic Engineering 1.mov - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2011]
- Human Genetic Engineering English Final Bryan Hatchell - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2011]
- Genetic Engineering for Human Enhancement.mp4 - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2011]
- Human Genetic Manipulation - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2011]
- The Truth About Lost Mittens - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 1st, 2012]
- Human Hybrids - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2012]
- Human Genetics: Human Accelerated Regions in the Genome - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - Story and gameplay Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- # 831 We Need to Wake Up to This Too! Human/Alien Hybridization - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Alex Jones - The Globalist Biological Warfare Plan for All Humanity 1_4! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Alex Jones - The Globalist Biological Warfare Plan for All Humanity 2_4! - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Spare Parts for Humans: Tissue Engineers Aim for Lab-Grown Limbs, Lungs and More - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Grey Aliens - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Human Giants [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Has the modern science found evidence that the homo-sapiens species was jumpstarted by aliens? - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 19th, 2012]
- Viruses con bacteria into working for them [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2012]
- New Genetics and Microbiology Resources Published at ScienceIndex.com [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2012]
- CURL: The end of the GOP as we knew it [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- Delphi Genetics: The New DNAVAC Research Project Targets the Removal of Antibiotics in Veterinary DNA-Vaccine ... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 30th, 2012]
- Experts Weigh in on Bird Flu Research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- Cellectis Plant Sciences Announces the Signature of a Strategic Partnership with SESVanderHave in Sugar Beet [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2012]
- Plant Physiologist Helen Stafford leaves Reed College Biology Dept. $1M [Tomorrow's Table] [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2012]
- Hepatitis Research May Benefit From Stem Cells [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2012]
- James A. Shapiro: Purposeful, Targeted Genetic Engineering in Immune System Evolution [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- EDITORIAL Focus on what’s important [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - Triple threat cinematic Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- COMMUNICATION WITHOUT WORDS - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City - Heroes mode Trailer [1080p HD PS3, Xbox 360, PC] - Video [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Global Food Crisis to Spur Sturdy Growth of Genetically Engineered Crops, According to New Report by Global Industry ... [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2012]
- Hybrids [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2012]
- Cure of ADPKD by selection for spontaneous genetic repair events in Pkd1-mutated iPS cells [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Lab-Made Neurons Allow Scientists To Study A Genetic Cause Of Parkinson's [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Not as Easy as it Sounds [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Siemens partners with drugmakers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- Scientists concerned about antibiotic resistance in wastewater [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2012]
- U-M human embryonic stem cell line placed on national registry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- U-M Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line Placed On National Registry for Researchers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- UM Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line Placed On National Registry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- World Economic Forum lists top 10 emerging technologies for 2012 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Nanosurgery and the fight against cancer: major breakthrough at Polytechnique Montréal [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- The splice of life: Proteins cooperate to regulate gene splicing [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]
- Proteins cooperate to regulate gene splicing [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2012]