Interplay of Hereditary and Environment

​​Interplay of Hereditary and Environment

The interplay between heredity and environment in shaping an individual’s personality and, by extension, society has been a subject of ongoing scholarly debate. While it is challenging to determine which factor plays a more significant role, research suggests that both heredity and environment contribute in distinct ways to different traits.

Heredity, for instance, is often linked to fixed attributes such as intelligence (I.Q.), where genetic factors largely determine an individual’s cognitive potential. However, environmental influences play a crucial role in shaping traits like leadership, impulse control, attitudes, and interests. These traits are highly sensitive to the surrounding environment, which includes familial, cultural, educational, and social factors.

Let us discuss the key aspects of heredity and environment in the following - 

1. The Complexity of Heredity and Environment in Shaping Personality:

The complexity of this interplay makes it impossible to precisely measure the influence of heredity and environment in each individual case. Despite this, many sociologists agree that the final shaping of an individual’s personality is the result of social experience. This is because the environment is dynamic and ever-changing, while hereditary factors remain static and unknown. Consequently, the interplay between these two forces is an ongoing process that cannot be fully controlled or measured.

​​2. The Interdependent Roles of Heredity and Environment in Individual and Societal Growth:

Heredity influences the individual’s ability to receive and process environmental inputs, but environmental factors can sometimes override inherited traits. All inherited qualities require a supportive environment to flourish fully, and human adaptability to the environment is crucial for the expression of these traits. Thus, both heredity and environment are essential for the growth and development of the individual, who, in turn, plays a significant role in the development of society.

3. Scholarly Perspectives on the Heredity vs. Environment Debate:

The debate between heredity and environment has led to divergent views among scholars. Francis Galton, in his work “Hereditary Genius,” argued that heredity is the most crucial factor in shaping human life. On the other hand, scholars like Cooley and H.M. Skeels emphasized the importance of the environment, suggesting that individuals can only achieve greatness with the right environmental conditions. Modern scholars have further demonstrated through case studies that the environment is just as important as heredity in human development.

4. Challenges and Biases in Racial Comparisons of Heredity and Environment:

Experiments comparing different racial groups, such as Whites and Negroes in the United States, have historically been used to argue for the dominance of heredity. However, these studies often failed to account for the differing environmental conditions experienced by these groups, leading to biased conclusions. Scholars like Prof. Klineberg have emphasized that valid tests of race differences can only be conducted under ideal conditions of equal opportunity, which are nearly impossible to achieve.

5. Limitations of Family Studies in Understanding Heredity and Environmental Influences:

Family studies have also been used to explore the role of heredity. For example, the Edwards family is often cited as an example of hereditary success, while the Jukes family is used to illustrate hereditary criminality. However, these studies need to account for the complex interplay of both maternal and paternal genes, as well as the environmental conditions that may have influenced these outcomes.

6. Insights from Twin Studies on Heredity and Environmental Influences:

Twin studies have provided further insight into the role of heredity and environment. Experiments conducted on identical twins raised together and those raised apart have shown that while physical traits may be similar, personality traits can differ significantly based on environmental factors. This suggests that both heredity and environment play crucial roles, and their relative importance can vary depending on the trait in question.

From the above, we can understand that the development of human beings is a complex process influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. While heredity provides the foundation, it is the environment and the individual’s efforts to utilize and adapt to this environment that shape the outcome. As Gisbert aptly noted, human beings are more than just the sum of their hereditary and environmental influences; they are also creators and shapers of their destinies. From a sociological perspective, the role of environment and individual effort in effectively utilizing inherited traits should be given due emphasis.

Cited from

Rao, S. C. N. (2019). Sociology: Principles of Sociology with an Introduction to Social Thought. S. Chand Limited. (pp. 138-140)