The problem of human nature has always been topical for people. For centuries they had been trying to determine what factors impact their thinking, behavior, actions, and solutions. For this reason, it is not surprising that this concept is one of the basics of philosophy and a ground for vigorous debates. There is an idea that behavior and abilities are predetermined by some inborn characteristics of a person. However, regarding the fact that people are social creatures, human nature is formed in the process of socialization under the impact of multiple essential factors.
In general, this phenomenon can be determined as a set of unique qualities peculiar to one person and differentiating his/her from other ones. These traits include a specific way of thinking, feeling, cognition, interaction, and behavior (Schaefer, 2011).
Everyone accepts the fact that there are no identical individuals, and the factors mentioned above are the primary source of this diversity. From the first moments after the birth and for the rest of his/her lifespan, every individual acquires and elaborates various characteristics that will later become a part of the personality, preconditioning his/her place in society. That is why the impact of socialization and communication on the formation of human nature cannot be disregarded or doubted.
In everyday life, a typical individual meets thousands of people and has to engage in various relations with them. It is the basis of any society as a collaboration of its members is the key to further evolution. However, every community has various demands at different stages of its development (Griffiths et al., 2014). For this reason, a person has to alter his/her views, approaches, attitudes, and perspectives to be able to act successfully and achieve the desired goals. In other words, innate qualities peculiar to all people are changed and shaped by socialization and the topical peculiarities of the environment (Schaefer, 2011). For this reason, the influence of external factors, or the nurture theory, should be considered a more suitable option when speaking about the formation of human nature.
The given conclusion is proved by multiple sociological interactions every person undergoes in his/her life and their full impact on the formation of mentality. Communication with other individuals, work, marriage, family life, and romantic feelings trigger various processes in people’s minds that lay the ground for the appearance of critical changes needed to succeed in all these spheres and remain part of the desired society (Macionis, 2016).
At the same time, there is no reason for denying the effect of genetic factors on the formation of human nature. They also are vital, especially during the first periods of people’s lives. However, if to compare with external factors, one should realize their prevalence and dominant role in the further formation of human nature and individuality.
Altogether, human nature remains one of the most relevant and disputable issues. It attracts people who want to understand what factors shape their mentalities and behaviors. There is also a classic opposition nature vs. nurture about the powers that have a more substantial impact on human beings. Accepting the critical role of socialization and interactions in the life of every individual, it is possible to conclude that external factors and the peculiarities of the environment should be considered the dominant forces that cultivate certain qualities in people and precondition their further development as successful members of communities.
References
Griffiths, H., Keirns, N., Strayer, E., Cody-Rydzewski, E., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., … Jones, F. (2014). Introduction to sociology (14th ed.). Houston, TX: 12th Media Services.
Macionis, J. (2016). Sociology (16th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Schaefer, R. (2011). Sociology (13th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.