Chapter 4 Socializing the Individual Section 1 Personality

Chapter 4 Socializing the Individual Section 1 Personality Development

Write a short position paper that addresses the following question: Are babies born with the basic personalities that they will keep throughout their lives, or do they develop personalities through experience and interaction with other people?

Think of someone you know that you feel has a great personality: • Describe that person’s personality. • Why is it great? • How did they get that way?

What is personality? • The sum total of an individuals behaviors, attitudes, beliefs and values. • It is more than the person’s most striking characteristics. • No two individuals’ personalities are exactly alike.

Specific personality traits change at different rates and to different degrees. • Some traits remain basically constant throughout a person’s life. • Other traits undergo dramatic changes.

Nature vs. Nurture Nature = heredity, or inherited Heredity is the transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to children. Nurture = environment and social learning Environment gives rise to personality and social behavior.

What are instinctive behaviors… • for birds? • for dogs? • for humans?

heredity • aptitude is the ability to learn a skill or acquire a body of knowledge • aptitude can be learned or inherited

What is the influence of birth order on personality characteristics? • Children with brothers and sisters have a different view of the world than do children who have no brothers or sisters. • The order in which we are born into the family influences our personalities.

First Born • Achievement-oriented • Cooperative • Cautious

Later Born • Good in social relationships • Affectionate • Friendly • Creative

What is the influence of parental characteristics on personality characteristics? • Parents … – – – age (early 20 s vs. late 30 s) level of education religious orientation economic status cultural heritage occupation

What is the influence of cultural environment on personality characteristics? • Areas of difference include … – – – fields of interest clothing types of activities speech habits ideas

What is the influence of heredity on personality characteristics? • Physical traits like … – – one’s body build skin color hair color eyes color Natural talents for … – music – Art – sports

Describe how your own personality has been influenced by each of the following factors: 1. 2. 3. 4. Birth order Parental characteristics Cultural environment Heredity

Describe how your own personality has been influenced by each of the following factors: 1. 2. 3. 4. Your own race Your own ethnic background Your religion Your gender