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Behavioral Genetics

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Behavioral Genetics
GENETIC INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR Multiple situations and conditions can impair or influence human behavior in individuals. My hypothesis was genetics has the strongest influence on human behavior because of the inability to have control over heredity. Without control, how can one improve or change their behavior? Mental disorders can be inherited through genetics. Examples of genetically acquired mental disorders are schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. My personal experience with individuals with those particular types of mental disorders exhibit different behaviors that those without the disorder. The way one interacts with other and the perception of that individual by society can be influences by mental disorders . My hypothesis was slightly changed after reading the article “Behavioral Gentics” by Joseph McInerney . McInerney provided in depth research that alluded to the fact that genetics alone does not influence human behavior. He believes that unless every person is tested a definitive correlation between genetics and behaviors will not exist.(J. McInerney ‘Behavioral Genetics” 24Aug2011) In case studies, researchers only test a select few and this does not provide enough information to prove or disprove genetics behavioral influence. According to McInerney, there may be others factors that may be present in conjunction with genetics that may influence human behavior. Behaviors are “the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). Genetics are “a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms” (MWD). Through definition; genetics is not a factor for behaviors. Genetics can be a factor, but does not necessarily have to be a controlling factor that influences human behavior. McInerney provided multiple sources of other studies that solidified his view. I made my hypothesis based on my personal experience of people with mental disorders that had a


Cited: Joseph McInemey. "Behavioral Genetics ." Human Genome Project Information . 24 august 2011. U.S. Department of Energy Genome Program 's Biological and Environmental Research Information System (BERIS). . 13 march 2013. . "Behaviors." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2013. Merriam-Webster Online. 13 March 2013 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavior "Genetics." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2013. Merriam-Webster Online. 13 March 2013 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genetics
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