How much of your personality comes from your DNA

There are more than 20,000 genes in our DNA. In layman language, genes are like the blueprints that determine our appearance, bodily functions, and even our personalities.Our father gives us half of our genes, while our mother gives us the other half. Because of this, we may not look exactly like our parents, but we may resemble them in appearance as well as in thought and behavior. Nevertheless, everyone of us still possesses a distinct set of genes in general. This implies that no two individuals—not even siblings—have exactly the same genes. We all have distinct personalities and looks as a result. But how much role do our genes play in shaping our personalities? Let’s find out.

Do personality traits get inherited in humans?

Are personalities created or born? Given that personality traits are present in infants from birth, heredity may be involved. According to a 2019 study by

Molecular Psychiatry

, children’s temperament, which is thought to be 20% to 60% inherited, is one of the earliest indicators of their personality. The fundamental temperament of a child has a significant role in defining how they engage with their surroundings. As a result, many experiences are influenced by these various interactions.

Big five model of personality

The big five model states that personality is made up of five major components. On each of the five fundamental characteristics, a person’s personality can be high, low, or somewhere in between.9. These five major personality qualities are somewhat inherited from DNA. The term OCEAN, which stands for openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, refers to the five genetically influenced personality qualities.

Which characteristics of the personality are inherited?

Scientists are only beginning to identify the psychological traits that can be unquestionably passed on because so much about DNA is still unknown. The National Library of Medicine (NIH) states that some gene variations seem to be specifically connected to temperament, including:
Variants in the DRD2 and DRD4 genes, associated with a drive to seek out new experiences
Variants in the KATNAL2 gene linked to caution and discipline
Variants in the PCDH15 and WSCD2 genes linked to sociability
The MAOA gene is associated with introversion, particularly under specific situations.
Variants of the genes AGBL2, BAIAP2, CELF4, L3MBTL2, LINGO2, XKR6, ZC3H7B, OLFM4, MEF2C, and TMEM161B are associated with depression and anxiety.

Is it possible to change your personality?

Indeed, whether on purpose or accidentally, your personality can change dramatically over the course of your life. According to the authors of a 2016 American Psychological Association review of participants ranging in age from 14 to 77, personality stability is generally relatively low. Any age can cause a change in personality. The biggest changes, according to researchers, seem to happen between the ages of 20 and 40, though they can also happen in middle and later life. Researchers observe that many people show improved warmth, self-control, emotional stability, and self-confidence as they age, despite the fact that each person is unique.