Genetics
Genes hold the information to build and maintain our bodies’ cells and
pass genetic traits to offspring.[3]
Since our brain is comprised of cells, it should not come as much of a surprise
that genes can influence our personalities. In fact, twin studies have shown
that intelligence, stress resistance, risk aversion, achievement-orientation,
the need for interpersonal intimacy, and religiosity have a strong genetic
basis.[4][5] [6]
Other studies have also indicated there are specific genes which are associated
with chemical dependence.[7]
Thus, genes likely play a large role in the decisions we make.
Epigenetics
The word epigenetics literally means “on top of genetics,” and it
refers to the phenomena wherein environmental factors that affect our biology change
how our genes are expressed.[8]
These factors may include the foods we eat, the toxins to which we are exposed
or even emotional stressors.[9]
For example, women who were pregnant during the 9/11 attacks and experienced
post traumatic stress disorder ended up having children who were prone to
anxiety.[10]
Experiential Factors
Beyond genetics and epigenetics, our experiences play a major role in the
development of our personalities. For example, children who were raised without
a father (or a 2nd parent) are 20 times more likely to have behavior
disorders, 14 times more likely to be rapists, and 20 times more likely to end
up in prison.[11]
A Complex System
Our personalities, and thus the decisions we make, are ultimately
derived from a number of genetic, epigenetic, and experiential influences. Given
humans have over 20,000 genes, and since we can experience a near infinite
quantity of environmental influencers, it is hard to know the degree to which
any gene or environmental factor may affect a particular decision. Even when
looking at large groups of individuals, scientists have a difficult time sorting
out which personality traits are driven by nature vs. nurture. Often, their
findings aren’t very clear-cut. For example, when it comes to smoking tobacco,
women tend to be influenced more by environmental factors such as peer
pressure, whereas genes play a greater role for men.[12]
In addition, studies show that variation in IQ has little to do with genetic
factors among those living in extreme poverty, yet, they are a major influence
among those who are affluent.[13]
The Rational vs. Intuitive Mind
Some may argue that while various forces can influence their decisions,
it is ultimately their free will that allows them to make choices. After all,
we feel like we understand the reasons behinds our beliefs and decisions, since
we often make choices after deliberation. However, modern psychology has
determined that our conscious mind has less control over our decisions than we
assume.
In the dual process model of cognition, decisions and beliefs derive
from a combination of rational (conscious) and intuitive (subconscious) mental
processes.[14]
The intuitive mind is quick, automatic, emotional, and based primarily on
mental shortcuts.[15]
Conversely, the rational mind is slow, effortful, rule based, and logical.[16]
Most importantly, the rational mind can counteract the decisions of the
intuitive mind, but doing so usually requires effort.[17]
Thus, by default, the rational mind tends to defer to the intuitive for most
decisions.[18]
In addition, the rational mind tends not to form judgments independent of the
intuitive mind. Instead, using psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s comparison, the
intuitive mind is like an elephant and the rational mind is like its rider.[19]
For example, in a study conducted by psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos
Tversky, judges with over 15 years of experience on the bench were presented
with a case regarding a woman who had been caught shoplifting.[20]
Before being presented with her case, however, they were to roll a dice that
was loaded so that it either came up with the number 3 or 9.[21]
Those judges who were presented with a 3 recommended the woman be sentenced to
5 months in jail on average, whereas the ones that saw a 9 suggested a sentence
of 8 months on average.[22]
Thus, their intuitive minds anchored the sentences to the numbers presented by
the dice, but their rational minds corrected the sentences directionally from
the anchor. Like an elephant, the intuitive mind goes where it wants, while the
rational mind tries its best to steer.
Conclusion
Given that our decisions are influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and experiential
factors that are out of control, and since our minds are guided primarily by
subconscious processes beyond our awareness, it’s hard to argue that we have
true freedom of will. Maybe one could argue free will if we were somehow
capable of understanding all of the influences that guide our subconscious
mind, but this is far from the case. Thus, while we can make conscious choices,
and it may appear that our decisions are freely made, free will is merely an
illusion.
Resources:
Fantastic lecture by Sam Harris regarding free will
Great article on the complex nature of nature vs. nurture
Good epigenetics article
Great article regarding rational vs. intuitive processes
"that are out of control, and since our minds are guided primarily by subconscious processes beyond our awareness"
ReplyDeleteDialectic Behavior Therapy addresses that. The DBT claim is that there are three states of mind, the rational, the emotional, the wise. Mindfulness training enables us to be much more aware of what the amygdala, the lizard brain, is pushing on us. No, we aren't completely aware but we _can_, with work, come closer to free will than we are otherwise.
Is there any research which indicates a separate "wise" aspect of our minds? I could see how mindfulness would help train our rational minds to intercede more often and effectively. However, even if we can become more aware of our inclinations, we are still limited by our nature/nurture in ways which are both beyond our comprehension and control.
ReplyDelete