Is personality born? From inheritance to environment, reveal the truth about personality formation
In the field of personality psychology, 'Is personality born?' has always been a hot topic of controversy. When many netizens search for 'MBTI', 'free MBTI test' or 'personality test entrance', what they really want to know is: is the reason why we are ourselves now, is it because genes determine our personality, or does the growth environment shape us?
This question involves the most classic proposition in psychology - 'nature vs. acquired' (Nature vs. Nurture). Today's research generally believes that genes and the environment jointly affect personality development, but who has the greater effect? This question is still inconclusive.
This article will analyze the formation mechanism of personality from three perspectives: child temperament, twin research and personality evolution, and combine it with MBTI personality type theory to help you understand yourself more scientifically and find a development path that suits you.
Temperament and personality: Can you see the clues from infancy?
Many people may not know that personality has actually been revealed since infancy when searching for 'MBTI16 personality test' or 'Myers-Briggs personality test free version'. Psychologists call this innate behavioral tendency temperature .
For example, some babies are born quiet and easy to coax, while others cry and make a fuss at any time. These differences are not 'teached' but are born. And surprisingly, many studies have found:
- Extraverted adults usually have a higher activity volume when they were young, like to explore the environment, and are full of enthusiasm.
- Introverted adults often act quiet, sensitive, and dislike socializing when they are young.
In other words, the personality type of MBTI may have started to take shape long before you go to school.
But this does not mean that the personality is completely fixed. Many seemingly 'born personality' will actually gradually develop new dimensions as they grow and experience accumulate. This is one of the reasons why MBTI personality tests are popular, which focuses on both your nature and how you adapt to society, deal with emotions and relationships.
If you don’t know your MBTI type yet, you can do a free MBTI personality test first to understand your belonging types among the 16 personalities.
Twin Research: Is personality really 'written in genes'?
To clarify whether personality is formed innately or acquiredly, psychologists often rely on twin research. In particular, the comparison between identical twins (100% identical genes) and fraternal twins (about 50% identical genes) reveals the genetic mechanism behind personality.
A study by the University of Edinburgh in the UK found that identical twins are almost twice as similar in personality to fraternal twins. This shows that some core traits in character have a strong genetic basis.
For example:
- People with the INTJ type often have strong rational thinking and goal orientation, which may be derived from the natural neurocognitive structure.
- The ESFP type exhibits stronger perceptual desire and social impulses, and may also be related to the activity of the dopamine system in the gene.
But genetics is not all. Even twins with 100% genes may show obvious personality differences due to their different growth environments. This just shows that the environment also has an influence that cannot be ignored.
If you are more curious about your personality tendencies, you might as well read the MBTI Advanced Personality Archives to understand how your personality is shaped so unique in the intersection of genetics and environment.
The trajectory of growth: Will personality “evolve”?
Even if we admit that personality has a genetic foundation, we cannot deny that the process of growth is the process of continuous tempering, strengthening and transforming personality.
For example, children who were shy and timid when they were young may gradually become adults who were socially eased after a lot of social training; while children who were lively and impulsive when they were young may also develop a strong sense of self-control and responsibility after adulthood.
This also explains why:
- Some people with INFP personality will develop a stronger sense of reality and planning ability after experiencing social challenges;
- Some ESTJ personalities can slowly realize their neglect of other people's emotions after encountering troughs in interpersonal relationships and gradually establish emotional sensitivity.
Personality is not static, but is stable and plastic .
On PsycTest Quiz official website (psychtest.cn) , we observed that many users tested again a year after the first test, and the type changed. This is not a test error, but a result of personality adaptation to the social environment.
You can regularly track your personality development trajectory and record changes and transformations during your growth process through PsycTest Quiz's latest official free MBTI test .
Can society’s expectations for character affect us?
We live in society and are inevitably shaped by society's 'ideal personality'. For example, in the workplace, people who prefer extroverts and strong execution ability; in education, students who prefer self-disciplined and orderly.
This also made many people search for keywords such as 'MBTI career matching' and 'jobs that suit MBTI personality types' to try to find a career direction that suits their personality.
However, the problem is that not everyone is suitable for being put into a 'standardized personality template'. Trying to change your personality to adapt to social norms will actually bring psychological burdens such as anxiety and depression.
The philosophy of MBTI is: every personality type has its own unique value, and the key is to 'find the right position' rather than 'change yourself to adapt to the position'.
for example:
- ENFP is enthusiastic and outgoing, and has many ideas, suitable for creative careers
- INFP is introspective and idealistic, suitable for freelance or writing jobs
- ISTJ is down-to-earth and rules-oriented, suitable for administrative, management and accounting positions
Accepting differences is more important than trying to change
Whether personality is born or acquired, modern personality psychology points to a consensus: difference does not represent advantages and disadvantages.
Extroverts are good at socializing, introverts are better at deep thinking; rational people are better at solving problems, and emotional people are better at understanding other people's emotions. No one character is “better” than the other.
The value of MBTI lies not in 'categorization', but in 'understanding'. By understanding different types of thinking and behavioral preferences, we can better handle interpersonal relationships, choose career paths, and even make important life decisions.
And PsycTest Quiz is working on this. Whether you are first exposed to personality theory or want to explore yourself in depth, we recommend starting with the free MBTI test entrance to understand which MBTI personality type you belong to.
If you want to obtain more in-depth personality analysis, more accurate behavior suggestions and personalized growth directions, welcome to unlock our MBTI advanced personality profile , which will provide you with a higher-level and more professional personality interpretation experience.
Conclusion
Personality is a product of complexity, and it is not a single source. Innate genes build the foundation, while environment and experience continue to carve out each person's unique personality outline. In this era where personality, diversity and empathy are increasingly important, what is really important is not 'can personality change', but - you can deny your talent and use it in the right way.
Go to PsycTest Quiz official website (psychtest.cn) now and start a journey about self-awareness. Your character is worthy of understanding and achievement.
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