Are confident people born that way? or is it fully through conditioning?

1. 38

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Are confident people born that way? or is it fully through conditioning?
   
   Are confident people born that way? or can anyone become extremely confident through conditioning alone?  Are people who are very confident and successful that way because they have a type of biological advantage? For example some very successful people have emerged from very challenging circumstances - one's you would think would shake their confidence but they manage to rise above.  Still others are born into easier circumstances and encouraged - but never develop that strong sense of confidence that pushes them to do great things.  So, what say you? more biological or more conditioning?

   replyreport
2. 54

   peter565posted 9 years ago

   A person's personality is 50% genetic and 50% environmental.  That applies to confident people too.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not sure it's quite as cut and dry as that - but I do agree both play a part. Thanks for your answer.

      replyreport
3. 64

   Amanda6868posted 9 years ago

   It is mostly how you were raised and/or who you surround yourself with.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think influence has a lot to do with it as well, but I think there are some biological components too. For example siblings treated equally where one thrives and tries hard and the other just doesn't seem to care. Seen it several times.

      replyreport
4. 60

   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   Christin...In most all cases and circumstances, I'm a FIRM believer in the combination of nature and nurture being responsible for nearly everything about we human beings.
   
   In this case with "confidence" I've not a single doubt I was graced with the biological advantage and of course, the conditioning by those very sources of my DNA!
   
   It would have been rather difficult and somewhat unperceptive of me to miss the bold bright writing on the wall. 
   
   I know through stories of my life even at the tender age of 3, how independent and insistent I was in knowing what I wanted, how I wanted to do it and that I barely heard any beat but that of my own drum.
   
   I can't honestly remember a time in my life that I didn't have one parent or the other and even my older sister, encouraging me to tackle something new and remain patient and focused until I could be the best at what it was.  A lot of support and positive feedback....but always pushed to depend on my own brain and common sense.
   
   My mother's favorite phrase was "Figure it out."  My Dad's was,  "You can do anything....just TELL yourself."
   
   I do however believe that all those who grow up lacking any confidence, it certainly CAN be instilled, practiced and learned well enough to place in action.  There's any number of helpful paths to take and everyone should!!...........Great question, Christin...as always.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree and it's wonderful you had parents that encouraged you to keep pushing. I think that drive and inability to forgo instant gratification coupled with great support can only lead to success.

      replyreport
5. 74

   word55posted 9 years ago

   I think it happens both ways. As far as conditioning, it is through how one is being raised, the education and experience. Many times, it takes the combo of both.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I agree for sure. While I believe surroundings and opportunity play the greatest role, I think there has to be a bit of genetic influence or something as well.

      replyreport
6. 74

   Peter Geekieposted 9 years ago

   I think the first thing we need to understand is that just because a person seems confident they are not necessarily correct. Many confident people make sweeping judgements or do not consider the facts before speaking.
   This can stem from their childhood when over indulgent parents encourage them to speak without thinking.
   Confidence comes from understanding the subject and giving due consideration before opening your mouth.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think here you may be mistaking arrogance for confidence - that isn't the same thing.  Arrogance is selfish and ego driven, confidence is that compelling drive to better oneself (but not at the expense of others).

      replyreport
7. 71

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   There are always going to be exceptions.
   However I believe during a child's "formative years" parents and others can make a major impact on one's confidence or lack of.
   Eventually we place the opinions of our peers above our family.
   A father can tell his daughter she's beautiful from sunup to sundown but if no boys ask her to dance she's not going to believe dad.
   When we grow older it's  the experience of having victories whether small or large that help build our confidence to attempt other things.
   Having said that I do believe some of us are born with more determination and strong will to have things our way. They want to be the people giving the orders and not the ones taking orders.
   This probably has more to do with their ego than confidence.

   replyreport
   1. 38

      ChristinSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I definitely agree that some of us are born with more tenacity.  I see that in myself more than my sister for example. I'm not sure it's always ego though - perhaps Def. agree with you on the other points great answer.

      replyreport
8. 49

   Benny01posted 9 years ago

   In my own opinion, I don't think anybody is born confident. Being confident mostly depends on the upbringing, the kind of environment you are exposed to while growing up. If you are trained to socialized with people during your childhood, it helps in building up your confident, you would learn how to interact with opposite sex, group of people and all that.
   
   Being confident is all about believing in yourself, when you don't allow people to dictate how you feel or how you see yourself, that is being confident. Though it is important not to confuse being confident from being arrogant, they are two different things.
   
   Arrogant don't care whether his or her action or reaction is hurting others while confident man or woman cannot be intimidated by anybody and he or she is also considerate of people's feelings.
   
   Finally, you can learn how to be confident by joining group of people who believe in you despite your shortcomings.

   replyreport
9. 57

   breathingposted 8 years ago

   This varies from people to people. It cannot be definitely said. Yeah even people who lack self-confidence can become confident through proper conditioning. It has been seen in case of many people. If you are surrounded by a group of extremely confident people who are willing to help you and make you go ahead, there are high chances that you will become like them in most cases. Obviously the combination of environment and assistance matters. With a positive environment your thinking starts to become positive and eventually you can get the best results out of it.
   
   On the other hand there are some people who are inborn leaders. Their case is completely different. They are confident right from the age when they begin to understand the life. They like to lead the people and it comes from their inside. Nobody needs to tell them what to do and what not to do. If they see any problem, they go forward themselves and try to solve the problem on their own. They never get away from any kind of problem in the society and eventually they become leader of the people. People who become confident through conditioning rarely get to this stage.

   replyreport