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The argument of nature vs. nurture is a long-standing one in the psychological and social worlds. It is the argument about whether we are ruled by our genes or our upbringing. It is my thought that neither is true. It is nature working with nurture which determines our personality and our lifestyle. The Nature Argument The proponents of the nature side of the nature vs. nurture argument hold the position that we are who we are because of our genetic code. They think that they have isolated genes that determine whether someone is predisposed to alcoholism, smoking, and mental as well as physical illness. In April of 2006, Susan Bergeson and a team of scientists at the University of Texas “found 20 gene candidates that could influence excessive drinking.” (Bryner. 2006) There have also been reports of a gene isolated that even determines the number of cigarettes that a person smokes based on how they metabolize the nicotine. There are those scientists who believe that we act on instinct alone based solely on our genetic makeup. This is a rather dangerous view because it relieves us of the responsibility we must all have for our own actions. Using the reason that one can’t control one’s behavior, they were simply born with a predisposition toward violence could be used as an excuse to commit violent crimes. Although we certainly have some genetic predispositions toward things like hair and eye color, certain diseases, and so on, it is not our genetic code that determines our life path for us. The Nurture Argument On the other side of the argument, the nurture proponents are certain that the environment in which we are raised holds far greater sway with the people we become. This argument can even be traced back to biblica... ... middle of paper ... ...on to be something different than what my upbringing would dictate. I believe, firmly, that we cannot blame our genetic makeup or our parents for our problems as adults and our lifestyle choices are just that, choices. I don’t think that the nature vs. nurture argument can ever be settled in one clear way over the other because they do not dictate our life. We can overcome factors of either of them, by choice and will. Works Cited Bryner, J. (2006) Nature Vs. Nurture: Mysteries of Individuality Unraveled. Retrieved on 03/09/11 from: http://www.livescience.com/4168-nature-nurture-mysteries-individuality-unraveled.html Healy, M. (1999, July 4) Debate Rises on Parents’ Influence Over Children. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 03/09/11 from: http://articles.latimes.com/1999/jul/04/news/mn-52878 Myers, D. (2010) Psychology 9th Edition. New York:Worth Publishers