Is Personality Genetic? How Family History And Environment Can Affect Personality

When it comes to personality, the topic of nature (genetics) vs. nurture (environment) has been debated for many decades, with researchers estimating that the phrase “nature vs. nurture” originated in the mid-1800s. Numerous studies tend to provide evidence for both sides of the argument, suggesting that both genetic and environmental factors can greatly influence a person’s personality traits. If you’re interested in gaining insight into your own personality or addressing challenges related to various traits, consider speaking with a licensed therapist.

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What is personality?

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), personality is a term typically referring to the consistent behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that define how a person interacts with others and the world around them. Components of personality may include self-concept, interests, values, emotional patterns, and abilities. 

The structure of an individual’s personality, as well as the way it develops, can vary significantly from person to person. This structure can impact numerous areas of a person’s life, including their academic career, relationships, and professional life. Research into these and other personality-related subjects typically falls under a field known as personality psychology.

What is personality psychology?

Personality psychology generally refers to the study of personality and the theories explaining how various elements of the personality develop and differ among individuals. One of the most famous psychologists in this field may be Sigmund Freud, who developed the psychodynamic approach. While some of his theories may have been dismissed or proven incorrect, they may still be influential in modern psychology. 

Freud conceptualized personality as an iceberg, with the conscious part of the mind representing only a small portion of a much larger mental space that is dominated primarily by the unconscious. According to Freud, this part of the mind is responsible for many of the motivations driving human behavior.

Freud divided the psyche into three main parts: the id, the ego, and the superego.

• Id: Freud believed that our desires and instincts were largely motivated by the id, a portion of the mind that is entirely in the unconscious. This area could contain primitive drives, such as those that concern our libido or aggression. The id may also inform whether we engage in substance use or other activities to seek short-term gratification or pleasure. 
• Superego: The superego typically counteracts the id, adhering to the highest moral standards and informing behavior that would match our values. This part of the mind, which sits partially in both the unconscious and conscious, may let us know what we should or shouldn’t do. What this part of the mind believes we should do may be influenced by a variety of factors, including what we’ve been taught by our families, religion, or the laws of our society. If we do not meet these standards, there may be psychological consequences, such as feelings of guilt or shame. 
• Ego: While still partially in the unconscious, the ego is believed to be primarily responsible for our conscious decisions and actions. The ego can be said to stand between the id and the superego, addressing both baser instincts and the desire to stick to one’s moral code. For example, if someone cuts in front of you in line, you may experience the instinct to scream at or attack them, and this would most likely be informed by the id. The ego part of your mind could mediate this, telling you to find a better or more appropriate way to respond. 

While this model may be outdated, it could still have an influence on modern personality models and research. This modern research covers a variety of topics, including the factors that influence how personality develops. Although these factors can vary from person to person, one significant component may pertain to genetics. 

Can genetics and family history affect personality?

Research suggests that genetics can have a significant impact on an individual’s personality structure. In a 2020 scientific article titled “The Genetics of Human Personality,” researchers compared twin and family studies to determine whether a person can inherit specific personality traits, finding that certain traits appear to have a moderate level of heritability. 

Researchers found that traits like neuroticism may share the same genetic basis as some mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder. In addition, data showed a negative genetic correlation between subjective well-being and neuroticism, as well as a positive genetic correlation between depressive symptoms and neuroticism. 

The article went on to note that neuroticism and openness typically displayed a strong genetic correlation. Furthermore, researchers found that certain personality traits could be clustered with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as the following:

• Extraversion appeared to have a high genetic correlation with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Openness could be correlated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
• More recent discoveries have implied that neuroticism likely has a positive genetic correlation with loneliness and delay-discounting (a tendency to opt for immediate gratification without considering the greater payoff later).

Further research indicates that individual differences in child and infant temperament may be genetically influenced, although updated research may be necessary. Researchers believe that the behavioral tendencies that emerge early in life and endure over time likely have a biological basis. Data from twin and adoption studies suggests that most dimensions of temperament demonstrate moderate genetic influence. However, this research also indicated another set of factors that can overlap with genetics and influence temperament: environmental factors. 

Can environmental factors affect personality?

While genetics can be an important factor, research suggests that a person’s environment can significantly impact how their personality develops. Researchers used three waves of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire with twins between the ages of 17 and 29. 

The environmental factors that affect personality can vary, but may include the following:

• Parenting styles: Different parenting styles, such as authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful, can affect which personality traits a person develops. For example, individuals with authoritative parents often have better self-esteem and a more stable sense of well-being, while children of permissive, neglectful, and authoritarian parents may struggle with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. 
• Cultural factors: Different cultures often have their own value systems, religious beliefs, and social norms, which can influence how individuals in that culture develop. For example, if a person’s culture values community or collectivism, that person may develop a more communicative and caring personality. On the other hand, if a person’s culture encourages individuality, they may become more independent or self-centered. 
• Peer influence: The personality development of children and adolescents could be impacted by negative and positive peer influences. Positive influences may help them avoid establishing potentially harmful traits and behaviors, while negative influences could lead them to adopt maladaptive traits to earn the approval and acceptance of their peer group. 
• Socioeconomic status: Socioeconomic status, which can include a variety of factors like income, occupation, education, and social class, can affect how someone’s personality develops. For example, those who grow up in environments with a higher socioeconomic status may be more likely to develop traits like openness and extraversion. Individuals from lower socioeconomic status homes, on the other hand, could be prone to neuroticism. 

These environmental elements can not only impact how someone's personality develops, but they may also affect their mental health. To address these potential effects, it may be helpful to seek the help of a mental health professional. A therapist could provide the space to discuss the challenges of one’s environment or the structure of their personality and find potential solutions or coping methods. 

While therapy may help someone address personality or environmental struggles, in-person therapy could be difficult for some to utilize. For example, if you struggle to discuss personal topics face-to-face, in-person sessions could be challenging. Others could live in a healthcare provider shortage area (HPSA), which could limit their access to mental health care. These situations could make it necessary to try other options, such as online therapy. 

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. A 2022 systematic review of 12 randomized controlled trials evaluated the efficacy of digitally delivered and face-to-face therapy for the treatment of various conditions. The digitally delivered therapy in these trials included several formats, such as video and telephone. Researchers found that these types of online therapy showed no significant differences in efficacy from in-person therapy, both immediately after therapy and during check-ins at three, six, and 12 months. Researchers came to this conclusion by comparing a variety of metrics, including overall improvement, working alliance, function, and client satisfaction.