PERSONALITY: episode 3- Twin studies and Personality
Are We Born With Our Personality? What Twin Studies Say
One of the big questions in psychology is whether our personality is something we’re born with or something shaped by our environment.
One of the best ways to investigate this is through twin studies
SO HOW DO WE USE TWIN STUDIES?
By comparing identical twins (who share all their DNA) with fraternal twins (who share about half), researchers can estimate how much of our personality is influenced by genetics.
WHAT DO THEY TELL US?
On average, around 40–60% of personality traits—like extraversion, openness, and neuroticism—can be traced to genetic factors (Bouchard & Loehlin, 2001).
Even twins separated from birth, who do not grow up in the same envirionment, tend to show remarkably similar personality profiles, which points to a strong genetic component.
But the environment still plays a crucial role. Life experiences, upbringing, culture, and relationships all shape how our traits are expressed and developed over time.
So the answer isn’t either/or. It’s both. Our personalities are built on the foundation of our genes, shaped by the world around us.
📚 Citation:Bouchard, T. J., & Loehlin, J. C. (2001). Genes, evolution, and personality. Behavior Genetics, 31(3), 243–273. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012294324713