by Dawn Dibartolo

Created on: November 21, 2008   Last Updated: January 31, 2009

What determines who you are? How you behave, make your decisions, live your life and your capacity for love are all determining factors, though it is difficult to pinpoint why you are who you are. It would be easier, in a world of puppets, to simply look up and see who is pulling the strings. However, we humans are nobody's puppets.

Scientists have long discussed the driving force of human nature, postulating that genes in the brain are malleable in response to internal and external triggers. Research has been conducted on the sequenced genomes of certain social animals such as honey bees and zebra finches. By studying their genes and how they respond when the animals are placed in specific social situations, researchers have concluded that there is a distinct relationship between how beings are genetically structured and their behavior.

Other studied links between heredity and human behavior involve the study of birth order. Some researches believe that we are naturally predisposed to behave a certain way, dependent upon our position within the family unit. For example, the third or last born child is theorized to be "forever the baby:" irresponsible and dependent upon others in the family for provision and problem resolution. Having applied these theories to my own family, while my younger brother is generally more childlike than I allow myself to be, he is a very responsible and independent man. My children, on the other hand, personify the birth order theories to the letter. Much to the irritation of his two older siblings, my youngest son is often careless and completely co-dependent. Therefore, I propose that adherence to the rules of birth order is completely random and thereby only a possible factor in the determination of self.

A significant component to who we are today is where we were yesterday. Our parents and upbringing will dictate how we process a situation and ultimately act on it. For instance, if you were raised by a bullying, tyrannical parent, you may be more inclined to adopt those traits as an adult. Others, like me, believe that being brought up by a tyrant can make you more inclined to resist this behavior and become just the opposite; like a plant will grow toward the sun, you may lean away from the shadowy behavior of your oppressor. Often times, children will have extended family that can be that needed sunshine helping to shape their growth, giving them the opportunity to pick and choose those characteristics that best suit them.

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