Would Your Life Be Different if You Were Born in Another Country? A New Scientific Study

According to experts, a person’s sense of humor, ethical principles, and even their lifelong aspirations are directly linked to the cultural characteristics of the environment in which they were raised, reports the BBC.

Ziada Ayorech, a psychiatric geneticist at the University of Oslo, explains that while every individual's DNA is unique, it cannot fully shape a person's identity on its own. A comprehensive 50-year study involving 14 million pairs of twins revealed that, on average, only 50% of human traits are attributable to genetic factors. When it comes to specific personality behaviors, the influence of the environment can reach as high as 60%.

Recent psychological research shows that Western and Eastern cultures divide human self-awareness and environmental perception into two distinct channels. These differences are evident not only in character but also in the way the brain functions.

The West: The Individual as the Center of the Universe

In Western cultures, an individual's unique personal qualities take priority. When asked "Who am I?", people often describe themselves through internal traits, such as being "smart," "funny," or "creative."

In Western psychology, every person is viewed as an autonomous, independent "hero." When perceiving information, they focus on a specific object or individual rather than the surrounding environment.

The East: An Inseparable Part of Society

In contrast, in East Asian cultures, individuals feel complete only through their social connections and surroundings. People here identify themselves through their social roles, saying, "I am someone's child," "I am a student," or "I am a loyal friend."

Brain scans (MRI) have even revealed that in Westerners, the area of the brain associated with self-awareness activates only when thinking about themselves. In Eastern participants, however, that same area activates when thinking about both themselves and their mothers.

The Geography of Values

A 2022 study conducted across 22 countries confirmed that culture has a direct impact on character. Residents of countries like China, India, and Germany, which place a high value on self-discipline, scored higher in organization and responsibility. Meanwhile, in liberal countries such as Canada, Norway, and New Zealand, people tend to be more open to new experiences and agreeable.

Experts conclude that a person's inner world is directly dependent on their birthplace and upbringing. If the geographical and social environment were different from day one, a person’s moral code and future plans would be shaped in an entirely different way. According to researchers, our identity is the shared result of a genetic code and a cultural environment.