Does genetics actually matter? (I say it's basically negligible)

Greetings, good people! 😁
I wasn't quite sure which forum would be appropriate for this topic without risking an unexpected deletion or lockout 😁, so I have decided to post it here.
To put it plainly, what are your thoughts on how much our genetics influence the trajectory of our lives and our ultimate achievements? Is it possible to find anyone in daily life to discuss such profound matters with, given that this isn't exactly typical small talk? 🙂In my view, genetics play absolutely no role in who we become—whether we are discussing our orientation, our moral character, or our successes and failures regarding our careers, education, or lifestyle choices. Instead, everything is determined by environmental factors: the people who raised us, the circles we moved in growing up, our current surroundings, our level of motivation, and our sheer willpower. It comes down to one's principles, attitudes, and how much weight they give to the opinions of others. Does biology truly dictate destiny, or is it all within our control? 😁(I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with these thoughts
).🙂What is your perspective? 😁Let us begin a discussion..

So, I’ve been diving deep into all this talk about karma lately, and honestly? It just started creating more confusion than anything else.

Genes? Well, if you ask me, they don't carry nearly as much weight as scientists like to claim, though there’s probably some level of influence there. But how much? That’s the thing. It really depends on the person, and let's face it, people always feel this innate urge to push their own opinions on everyone else.

I’d say genetics play a role when it comes to how we look physically, but when it comes to our actual behavior patterns? The impact seems way smaller.

And what do you suppose influences behavioral patterns?

Genes provide the fundamental blueprint, supplying the very building blocks and biological processes required to construct an entire organism. That is the core essence of genetics—from the structure of your fingernails to the intricate wiring of your neural cells, your nerve centers, and the brain as a whole. The specific way these cells are architected dictates their functional processes through various biochemical characteristics. Whether a particular compound manifests as serotonin or dopamine depends entirely on its molecular structure, which, quite predictably, is dictated by our genes. Therefore, if the brain and its internal mechanisms exert any influence whatsoever on psychology and behavior—as scientists claim (and even a few laypeople seem to agree)—then genes are inherently involved through that physiological link. This goes far beyond some superficial idea that physical appearance somehow influences one's psyche.

If we are going to be incredibly blunt—perhaps even a bit crude, given the nature of this topic's title—we can test this concept quite easily, at least as a thought experiment. If you want to measure the impact of genes on life, simply try to extract the genes from life itself, or attempt to imagine existence without them. If you actually manage to pull that off, then you’ll have your answer regarding just how negligible they truly are. But you won't, will you?

Was I specifically questioning whether we inherit more than just a blend of physical traits or perhaps certain genetic predispositions 😁? In that regard, I am inclined to say no—in fact, I am firmly convinced that we do not 🙂.

Perhaps you aren't inheriting these traits through your genes alone, but rather through your upbringing and the observations you make along the way. Of course, we must consider how other people and various life experiences eventually shape your perspective, building upon the foundation laid during your childhood.

While there certainly exists a biological substrate for "certain behaviors," that foundation remains heavily dependent on the environment in which an individual is raised.

I agree 👍 along with many other factors—such as one's current mood, their inherent positivity in various situations, and even the temperament of those surrounding them. One must also consider the people they were surrounded by in the past, their ability to live in the present while leaving history behind, and their level of self-respect. Does one possess persistence, motivation, and a willingness to sacrifice everything for a goal? What are their core life principles? How much weight do they give to the opinions of others, or to social and moral values? To what extent are they driven by prejudices or stereotypes? It is a vast web of variables.
It is always frustrating when someone dismisses a person's character by claiming "it is just their genetics," when in reality, there is no connection to genetics to be found in their life at all.

Michelle Williams17 said:I agree 👍 along with many other factors—such as one's current mood, their inherent positivity in various situations, and even the temperament of those surrounding them. One must also consider the people they were surrounded by in the past, their ability to live in the present while leaving history behind, and their level of self-respect. Does one possess persistence, motivation, and a willingness to sacrifice everything for a goal? What are their core life principles? How much weight do they give to the opinions of others, or to social and moral values? To what extent are they driven by prejudices or stereotypes? It is a vast web of variables.
It is always frustrating when someone dismisses a person's character by claiming "it is just their genetics," when in reality, there is no connection to genetics to be found in their life at all.

There are plenty of theories out there. Some even suggest that everything you heard at home while growing up—various beliefs, urban legends, even just neighborhood gossip—gets imprinted onto you somehow. But all of that falls under the umbrella of "experience," and how you actually process those experiences might depend slightly on your specific personality structure. Problems and complications really start to mount when relationships become overly complex. Now, you might argue that all relationships are inherently complex, but some individuals simply lead much calmer lives with far less stress and fewer constant upheavals; it’s almost like that "Princess and the Pea" syndrome where everything has to be just right to avoid discomfort.

It goes without saying that when we discuss these topics—and let’s be honest, most of what is being debated here revolves around how genes and environment interact—we are dealing with variables that are notoriously difficult to quantify precisely.

One researcher once put it this way: trying to separate the influence of genetics from the influence of one's environment is like attempting to credit either the musician or their instrument for the music they produce. How can you possibly decide who deserves more credit? If you lack the talent of the performer, or if the instrument itself is broken, the music simply won't exist, or at the very least, it won't sound anything like what we hear.

@Michelle Williams17 If you are looking for rigorous, controlled studies specifically regarding how genetics shape behavior, you really need to look into the field of behavioral genetics. They have uncovered significant genetic influences—varying in scale, of course—on a massive spectrum of behaviors and personality traits, ranging from how people vote in elections to the career paths they eventually choose.

goldenscout14 said:It goes without saying that when we discuss these topics—and let’s be honest, most of what is being debated here revolves around how genes and environment interact—we are dealing with variables that are notoriously difficult to quantify precisely.

One researcher once put it this way: trying to separate the influence of genetics from the influence of one's environment is like attempting to credit either the musician or their instrument for the music they produce. How can you possibly decide who deserves more credit? If you lack the talent of the performer, or if the instrument itself is broken, the music simply won't exist, or at the very least, it won't sound anything like what we hear.

@Michelle Williams17 If you are looking for rigorous, controlled studies specifically regarding how genetics shape behavior, you really need to look into the field of behavioral genetics. They have uncovered significant genetic influences—varying in scale, of course—on a massive spectrum of behaviors and personality traits, ranging from how people vote in elections to the career paths they eventually choose.

I am not entirely certain about the specifics of various twin studies, but I personally know a pair of identical twins who were raised in the exact same environment—same school, same home, even worked together—yet their personalities couldn't be more different. To be honest, I found myself connecting with one much more easily than the other. And as they've grown into adulthood, their lives and life paths have diverged completely.

analogviper36 said:I am not entirely certain about the specifics of various twin studies, but I personally know a pair of identical twins who were raised in the exact same environment—same school, same home, even worked together—yet their personalities couldn't be more different. To be honest, I found myself connecting with one much more easily than the other. And as they've grown into adulthood, their lives and life paths have diverged completely.

And why wouldn't destiny choose specific genes to act as its messengers?

Beyond Heritability : Twin Studies in Behavioral research

Controlled studies have been conducted involving upwards of 800,000 twin pairs—both identical and fraternal—and one of the primary conclusions drawn from the whole ordeal was, and I quote: "By now we have a fundamental understanding that genetic influences are involved in all aspects of psychology and behavior."

Well, genes certainly play a role in shaping our personality and character; there is undeniably a biological foundation at work here.

Temperament, in particular, is biologically predetermined, though it is through life's experiences that such character traits are truly refined and honed.

goldenscout14 said:It goes without saying that when we discuss these topics—and let’s be honest, most of what is being debated here revolves around how genes and environment interact—we are dealing with variables that are notoriously difficult to quantify precisely.

One researcher once put it this way: trying to separate the influence of genetics from the influence of one's environment is like attempting to credit either the musician or their instrument for the music they produce. How can you possibly decide who deserves more credit? If you lack the talent of the performer, or if the instrument itself is broken, the music simply won't exist, or at the very least, it won't sound anything like what we hear.

@Michelle Williams17 If you are looking for rigorous, controlled studies specifically regarding how genetics shape behavior, you really need to look into the field of behavioral genetics. They have uncovered significant genetic influences—varying in scale, of course—on a massive spectrum of behaviors and personality traits, ranging from how people vote in elections to the career paths they eventually choose.

There is just so much to catch up on... 😁 (goldenscout14, I am certainly not talking about you, but rather those brilliant researchers! I truly hope they collaborate on a project with Mr. Bean sometime soon.😁 )

That simply isn't how it works... I find it difficult to comprehend the methodology behind these studies. Do they actually implant some sort of microchip into an infant to monitor them for a lifetime? How can anyone possibly conclude that genetics play a role in these matters?

I find myself sharing your distaste for those controlled studies where they draw sweeping conclusions from such incredibly limited sample sizes, though I suppose we don't have much better to rely on at the moment.

Consider this scenario: take a child who possesses a natural, innate gift for music or dance—something they exhibit from a very young age—but their parents simply fail to notice or provide any direction toward that path. Now, contrast that with a second family facing an almost identical situation, yet these parents are observant and make the conscious decision to nurture that talent. What happens next? Does the outcome not differ wildly?

In my view, what we are seeing is the cumulative effect of countless individual actions and decisions stacking upon one another. Could it be that those first parents were simply overwhelmed by the struggle to make ends meet, perhaps working three different jobs just to stay afloat, leaving them with no bandwidth to even realize their child had a knack for dance? And let’s be honest, specialized dance academies aren't exactly cheap. Ultimately, isn't it true that genetic potential remains largely dormant unless it is met with a stimulating, high-quality environment provided consistently over time? The sole exceptions, of course, are those rare, once-in-a-generation geniuses who seem to manifest their brilliance regardless of their surroundings, but they represent a tiny fraction of the population; we are discussing the statistical average here.

analogviper36 said:I find myself sharing your distaste for those controlled studies where they draw sweeping conclusions from such incredibly limited sample sizes, though I suppose we don't have much better to rely on at the moment.

Consider this scenario: take a child who possesses a natural, innate gift for music or dance—something they exhibit from a very young age—but their parents simply fail to notice or provide any direction toward that path. Now, contrast that with a second family facing an almost identical situation, yet these parents are observant and make the conscious decision to nurture that talent. What happens next? Does the outcome not differ wildly?

In my view, what we are seeing is the cumulative effect of countless individual actions and decisions stacking upon one another. Could it be that those first parents were simply overwhelmed by the struggle to make ends meet, perhaps working three different jobs just to stay afloat, leaving them with no bandwidth to even realize their child had a knack for dance? And let’s be honest, specialized dance academies aren't exactly cheap. Ultimately, isn't it true that genetic potential remains largely dormant unless it is met with a stimulating, high-quality environment provided consistently over time? The sole exceptions, of course, are those rare, once-in-a-generation geniuses who seem to manifest their brilliance regardless of their surroundings, but they represent a tiny fraction of the population; we are discussing the statistical average here.

I completely agree; especially during childhood, the environment is vital. The key to everything is practice, practice, and more practice. Speaking of discipline, there is a book called "The Myth of Talent" by Matthew Syed, which is incredibly instructive. It discusses how deliberate practice (along with persistence and motivation) is the fundamental core of life and essential for every success, large or small. While that might not be a revolutionary discovery, 😁 I find it to be a truly motivating read.

Of course genetics play a role; the OP is either fundamentally mistaken or simply lacks an understanding of their lineage and what they have inherited from those who came before them.

Everything biological is passed down—from illnesses and innate talents to psychological temperaments, immune responses, intelligence, and even one's level of self-confidence. If I am not mistaken, this pattern holds true for at least the last three generations.

The one, and truly only, thing that remains untouched is your "free will"—essentially how you choose to orient yourself.
In terms of your thought processes or which direction you decide to lean, that is yours, but everything else is hereditary; let’s not delude ourselves on that point.

Naturally, this isn't an excuse for one's actions, good or bad, which is precisely why I brought up free will.
But it is a complete illusion to believe that you are in total control of every aspect of your being.

I don't quite have the energy to dive into a deep philosophical debate right now; I am far too sleepy. :P

Genes don't just dictate your physical appearance—like how tall you are or what color your eyes are—they also shape the very architecture of your brain. It’s all about biology; depending on how large or responsive certain neural centers are (much like how some people are born with naturally larger muscle fibers), you’re going to process events through a completely different lens. You’ll generate unique experiences and interpret reality in your own specific way. Since your experience is essentially who you are, genetics acts as this fundamental prism through which everything else is filtered, ultimately playing a massive role in how your character develops over time.

In my view, genetics likely plays a much bigger role in determining your MBTI type than absolutely anything else.