Nature or Nurture Sara Andrade Sara Hoffman Pierre

“Nature or Nurture? ” Sara Andrade, Sara Hoffman & Pierre Briand

General Facts n n n Personality is the face we present to the world Represents our style of interacting with others Displays how we confront challenges and opportunities Gaulin, S. J. & Mc. Burney D. H. (2004). Evolutionary Psychology. 2 nd Ed. NJ: Prentice Hall.

The Big Five • O-peness • C-onscientiousness • E-xtraversion • A-greeableness • N-euroticism Gaulin, S. J. & Mc. Burney D. H. (2004). Evolutionary Psychology. 2 nd Ed. NJ: Prentice Hall.

Study of Personality • Complicated process • Psychologists came up with personality traits based on how people perceive each other • Theories are based on Folk Psychology (what people w/ no training in psychology believe about human behavior) ver s us Gaulin, S. J. & Mc. Burney D. H. (2004). Evolutionary Psychology. 2 nd Ed. NJ: Prentice Hall.

“Nature or Nurture? ” bylatest Julia Discusses research on…. Glass … 1. The origins of a child’s personality 2. How parents can help shape personality Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54. …

Introduction Nature vs. Nurture argument • Many parents believe that their children’s personalities are shaped by nurture • Book: The Nature Assumption by Rich Harris stated that parents matter a lot less than they think • Genes and peers have more of an effect on personality than parents • Love is important, but eye contact and words have more of an impact! Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

Roots of Personality • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 30 -50% of behavioral tendencies are genetic In addition to “The Big Five” there also minor personality traits: Altruism Shyness Accident-proneness Self-esteem Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

• Kimberly Saudino Ph. D Conducted a study on infant and toddler twins • Results: In the first few years of life, genetics influence three broad personality traits 1. Activity (energy, vigor, movement) 2. Task Orientation (attention and persistence 3. Extroversion (emotionality and sociability) Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

Continued… • Since adult traits show about 50% genetic influence… • And babies characteristics are only 2040% heritable… • Babyhood personality is more influenced by the environment • INFLUENCE OF GENES INCREASES WITH AGE! Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

Nurture Through Nature • Genes provide a foundation for personality but they do not determine it entirely. • Although parenting is a lot less important than previously believed, it is still important to respond to a child as an individual and bring out their natural talents. • The author concluded with a new mantra. . . Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

“Observe” “Encourage” “Indulge” Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.

Critical Review Items • Interesting/Informative Points – Not all genes affect a person from birth. – Genes only provide a range of possibilities, they do not decide on a person’s exact personality. • Weak Points --Incorporating her “Genetics 101” preview was cumbersome and unnecessary for the main points in her article because it seemed to distract from the rest of the paper. Glass, J. (2004, March). Nature or Nurture? Baby Talk, 69(2), 52 -54.