IELTS Agree Disagree Essay on Society & Nature

In the field of behavioural science, many believe that our personalities are unchangeably set by our genes before birth, leaving no chance for change in our character traits. I strongly disagree with this fixed view, instead believing that environmental factors greatly shape personality development.

My first argument comes from psychology, where the idea of neuroplasticity contradicts the theory of genetic determinism. Neuroplasticity, the brain's capacity to reshape itself by creating new neural connections, implies that experiences can change brain structure and function, thus influencing personality traits. For example, a study showed that London taxi drivers, who need a lot of navigational knowledge, had a significantly larger hippocampus, a brain area linked to spatial memory, than non-taxi drivers. This shows that environmental demands can shape our brain and, in turn, our personality.

Secondly, the concept of epigenetics offers more proof against the genetic determinism of personality. Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression that don't involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence, and these changes can be influenced by various environmental factors. For instance, research has shown that stress early in life can lead to epigenetic changes that increase the risk of mental health disorders, thereby changing a person's personality. This emphasizes that our genes are not our fate, and our environment can greatly affect our character traits.

Lastly, the effect of cultural and societal norms on personality development is very important. These external influences shape our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, thus playing a key role in defining our personality. For example, a person raised in a group-focused society like Japan may develop a more cooperative and group-oriented personality than someone raised in an individual-focused society like the United States. This shows how societal factors can shape our personality traits, further disproving the idea of genetic determinism.

In conclusion, while our genes may set the base of our personalities, they are far from being the only factor. The flexibility of our brain through neuroplasticity, the influence of environmental factors on gene expression through epigenetics, and the shaping power of societal norms together reject the idea that our personalities are predetermined and unchangeable.

In the realm of behavioural science, a prevalent notion suggests that our personalities are irrevocably dictated by our genetic makeup prior to birth, leaving no room for alteration of our character traits. I wholeheartedly disagree with this deterministic view, believing instead in the profound influence of environmental factors on personality development.

My first contention lies in the realm of psychology, where the concept of neuroplasticity challenges the genetic determinism theory. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, suggests that experiences can alter brain structure and function, thereby influencing personality traits. For instance, a study by Maguire et al. (2000) demonstrated that London taxi drivers, who require extensive navigational knowledge, had a significantly larger hippocampus, a brain region associated with spatial memory, compared to non-taxi drivers, indicating that environmental demands can shape our brain and, by extension, our personality.

Secondly, the theory of epigenetics provides further evidence against the genetic determinism of personality. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence, and these changes can be influenced by various environmental factors. For example, research has shown that early life stress can lead to epigenetic changes that increase the risk of mental health disorders, thereby altering an individual's personality. This underscores the fact that our genes are not our destiny, and our environment can significantly influence our character traits.

Lastly, the impact of cultural and societal norms on personality development cannot be underestimated. These external influences shape our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours, thereby playing a crucial role in defining our personality. For instance, a person raised in a collectivist society like Japan may develop a more cooperative and group-oriented personality compared to someone raised in an individualistic society like the United States. This highlights how societal factors can mould our personality traits, further debunking the notion of genetic determinism.

In conclusion, while our genes may lay the foundation of our personalities, they are far from being the sole determinant. The malleability of our brain through neuroplasticity, the influence of environmental factors on gene expression via epigenetics, and the shaping power of societal norms collectively refute the idea that our personalities are predestined and unchangeable.