I'm with longrover -- I think it's both. I have similar experiences with dogs as raised from birth and the personalital and societal dynamics are fascinating.

My opinion is that people have a genetic PREDISPOSITION toward dominance, submission, apathy or independance. This predisposition can absolutely be impacted by personal experience (practically has to be) and that MAY be where 'switches' come from -- people whose accumulated life experience runs counter to their genetic heritage.

Or, maybe I'm just full of shit.