EP14 | 在別的國家長大，你會變成不同的人嗎？| Would You Be Different in Another Country?

如果你從小在不同國家長大，你的個性會改變嗎？本集帶你了解「天性與環境」的概念，以及科學研究如何解釋文化如何影響我們的性格、價值觀與思考方式。Miss Y也會分享自己在亞洲、南美、歐洲與澳洲生活的經驗，談談環境如何讓我更開放與有彈性，同時核心個性仍然不變。 Would you be a different person if you grew up in another country? In this episode, we explore nature vs nurture and how culture shapes personality. You’ll learn about scientific research, real-life experiences, and reflect on your own identity, while improving your listening with clear and simple English. Leave a comment and share your thoughts: Transcript:Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Today, we are going to talk about a very interesting question… Would you be a different person if you grew up in another country? For example, if you grew up in Japan instead of Taiwan, or in Canada instead of Malaysia, would your personality be different? Would you think differently? Would you like different things? This topic is about something called nature and nurture. (nature 自然; nurture 培育,照顧,養育; 這兩個字因為長得很像, 常常一起用, 就像一個押韻的片語) In simple terms, it means: Are we born the way we are? Or do we become who we are because of our environment? (是自然造成的？還是環境給你的培育造成的?) So today, we will look at scientific research and talk about how where you grow up can affect your personality (個性). Let’s start with the first question. How much of our personality comes from our genes? And how much comes from our environment? Have you ever thought about this? Scientists often study twins to answer this question. Why twins? Because identical twins (同卵雙胞胎) have almost the same DNA, but their lives can be different. If twins are very similar, it may be because of genes. But if they are different, the environment may play a role. Researchers compare identical twins with non-identical twins (異卵雙胞胎), who share only about half of their genes. If identical twins are more similar, this suggests that genes are important. If both types are similar, the environment is also very important. One large study looked at twins and their traits (特質), like personality, intelligence, mental health, education, and political beliefs. The result was very interesting. Scientists found that genes explain about 50 percent of the differences between people. This does not mean half of your personality is fixed. It means that, in a large group, about half of the differences are related to genetics (遺傳學). The other 50 percent comes from family, culture, education, friendships, and life experiences. Even small daily experiences and random events can shape who you become. The study also showed that in childhood, the environment often has a stronger effect, but as people grow older, their genetic tendencies may become clearer. So the answer is not simple. It is not only nature. It is not only nurture. It is both. Now let’s talk about personality. Research shows that personality traits are about 40 percent genetic. This means the environment has a strong influence. For example, you may be born with a tendency (傾向) to be more outgoing or quieter. But your environment can change how this personality develops over time. The people around you, the way you are raised, and the values you learn all play an important role. If you grow up in a very social and open culture, you may become more extroverted (外向的) because you have many chances to talk, share, and express your ideas. But if you grow up in a quiet culture, you may become more reserved (保守的), because this behavior is seen as polite and normal. Even the same person can act differently in different places. For example, someone may be very talkative with close friends but quiet in a formal situation. This shows that personality is flexible and can change depending on the environment. One scientist said that when she moved from the UK to Norway (挪威), she became less extroverted. In Norway, people don’t usually talk to strangers. So her behavior changed. She learned to respect the local social rules and became more comfortable with silence. But her basic personality did not disappear. She still liked social activities. She just expressed her personality in a different way. For example, she chose smaller groups and deeper conversations instead of large and noisy events. This shows something important, right? Our environment shapes how our personality appears. It does not completely change who we are, but it can change how we show our true self in daily life. Another study looked at children in different places. Researchers compared Taiwanese children, English children, and children from Chinese families living in England. The children were given different situations and were asked how they would react to their parents’ requests. They found that all children obeyed (服從; 聽話) their parents when asked, especially when the request was clear and direct. But Taiwanese children were more likely to obey even when they did not want to, or when they first felt unhappy about the request. They were also more likely to change their feelings and accept the situation. Why? Because their culture strongly values respect and obedience (聽話; 順從), and children are often taught from a young age to think about family harmony (和諧) and group needs. This does not mean one group is better or worse. It simply shows how culture shapes behavior and emotional responses in everyday life. There was also a study in 2022 that compared personality traits in 22 countries. The researchers used personality tests and asked thousands of people about their habits, attitudes, and daily behavior. They found that countries with strong discipline (紀律) and structure (架構;框架), such as India, China, and Germany, had people who scored higher in organization (有條理) and dutifulness (負責任). People in these cultures often value planning, responsibility, and following rules. In countries with more flexible and equal cultures, such as Canada, the UK, and Australia, people showed more openness (開放性) and agreeableness (能接受不一樣的東西). They were more likely to try new experiences, accept different ideas, and focus on cooperation and fairness. Again, this is not about individuals (個人). Many people are different. But these are general (普遍的) patterns that help scientists understand how culture and social systems can influence personality over time. So what is the final answer? Science shows that where you grow up does affect your personality. It can influence your values (價值觀), your thinking, your behavior, and even your brain. But it does not completely control who you are. You are a mix of many things: your genes, your culture, your experiences, and your choices. And this is good news. It means you are not fixed. You can change, grow, and develop. If you move to a new place, learn a new language, or meet new people, your personality can also grow. I want to share a little about my own experience. I have lived in different parts of the world, including Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia. These experiences changed the way I see the world. Living in different cultures made me more open-minded and flexible. I learned that there are many ways to think and live, and I became more understanding of people who are different from me. However, I feel that my core personality hasn’t really changed. I am still more introverted (內向的). I still enjoy quiet time, deep thinking, and small groups. So even though the environment can change our behavior, it may not completely change who we are inside. For me, an important life principle is to know who you are, appreciate your own traits, and be kind and gentle to different people. We do not need to be the same. We can respect and learn from each other. And finally, even though there are many personalities and cultures in the world, humans are very similar. We all want love. We all want companionship. We all want to feel understood and accepted. Before we finish, I want you to think about this question. If you grew up in another country, how would you be different? What do you think? Would you be more confident? More quiet? More independent? More family-focused? And which parts of your personality would stay the same? I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and learn about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting