• Question: If we are just organic machines how do we each have a different personality and why?

    Asked by ogoldfinch09 to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 16 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by otis142009, joouth.
    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      I think there are two main things that determine our personality. The first is genetics and the other is nurture (or environmental). It is difficult to determine which of these has the most effect, but they both contribute significantly.

    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 17 Mar 2012:

      I agree with Sean about where our personality comes from – it’s definitely a mix of nature (genes) and nurture (environment). As our genes and environments are individual, the resulting personalities are all different, too. Our personality is ultimately the way in which we communicate with other people and is necessary as we are social animals who live in groups.

Comments

  • Photo: ogoldfinch09

    ogoldfinch09 commented on :

    Why do we need personalities, they often damage relations with other members of society, it would be more logical if we worked together and were unbiased. Is there an evolutionary explanation for the development of personalities? I have also noticed that the range of human personalities is far greater than the range of other animals’ personalities, why is this?