Research presents the statement about inherit characterists having stronger influence in the development of a person, than external factors, such as experiences, family context and society. I would support the idea that context and experiential knowledge can lead to a change in the personality even in a late age.
It is well known that our physical features comes from our parents and family, and is also true, that our first actions, gesture and movement come from watching activities that our family do, thanks to the mirror neurons. These neurons plays a crucial role in the learning process of basic movements, like laugh, eat, even how to face stressful situations. A healthy and stimulating environment lead to the formation of basic social interactions acquired by copying it.
Additionally, this is applicable in different ages, where the behavior is copyed from other sources, like school, friends, TV, and the internet. For example, adolescense is a critical period for emotional and social development, is likely adapt our behavior in order to fit in social parameters. Furthermore, personality also can be transformed by traumatic situations. For instance, individuals who endure hardships and significant adversities, like loss of a family member or being diagnostic with a terminal disease and survive, tend to be more resilient and be better prepared to handle similar situations in the future, and even had the capacity of help others individuals.
In conclusion, although our genetic information provides a great influence in physical apparence and primary personality develop, is through external influences and life’s challenges that character is finally shaped. In other words, an individual is composed of a diversity of external influences, promoting an inner growth and adaptability that genetics alone can’t provide.