Final answer:
Heritability is the extent to which a trait is inherited, governed by genes, and influenced by environmental factors. Significant genetic components have been observed in personality development studies, highlighting the importance of heritability in traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Concept of Heritability
The extent to which a trait is inherited versus acquired through interactions with the environment defines the concept of heritability. An organism's traits are determined by the specific combination of inherited genes. These genes can then be expressed in various ways, depending on environmental influences. Genetic variance plays a crucial role in population evolution, as natural selection can only act on heritable traits. While most physical traits are inherited, environmental factors can greatly influence the expression of these traits and behaviors. The Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart revealed that certain personality traits show a significant level of heritability, demonstrating a strong genetic component in personality development. However, while heritability indicates the genetic influence on trait variations within a population, it does not mean that these traits are determined solely by genes.