...pubertal development, and psychological adjustment. As I observed Mrs. Hourigan’s class at the Courtyard, I was surprised by how heavily students are influenced by peer pressure. Peer pressure seems to have incredible impact on the way students think and behave, and so it heavily influences the way students deal with the issues facing them. As I conducted my research on articles, I wanted to find more in depth research on other internal issues that these students might encounter throughout their growing process and that contribute to peer pressure. Ramirez (2003) attempted to find a direct correlation between hormones and aggression in childhood and adolescences due to the lack of studies it did not find a direct link. However, the study presents the possibility that adolescents’ aggression is a biological factor rather than a matter of generalizing that all adolescents are aggressive. Such generalizing is made with students who attend the Courtyard which is a Community Day Service (CDS). It is presumed that all of the students at a CDS are aggressive and violent. Based on my interactions and observations, a majority of the seventh and eighth graders act “thuggish” to portray a tough image with their peers, however many of them are at CDS for having a low Grade Point Average (GPA); are considered at-risk. For example, in Mrs. Hourigan’s class none of the students are on probation which shows that not all students at a CDS are aggressive. But based on the environment that the...
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...The Role of the Environment in Personality Development of Children Abstract Various components influence the overall development of children. It is not simply the society in which each child is born and lives but certain and identifiable parts of the society. Although every aspect of child development involves genetics, environmental factors contribute significantly in the personality development of children. Subcultures of race/ethnicity, economic status, faiths/religion, and locality/region, in addition to particular groups such as friends and family distinctly affect each child. Throughout the lifespan, people constantly confront new or varying situations—both individual and societal—and need to understand how to adjust to these conditions. The most significant time of acculturation occurs during infancy and childhood, which establishes the foundation of every child’s future personality. However, whether one becomes an extrovert or introvert, a genius or average, enthusiastic or passive is contingent upon many unique effects and is not easy to foresee when a child is first born. Familial, associative, academic, and communal influence impacts one’s worldview—how one reasons, socializes and develops a sense of self. This research examines environmental influences—such as parenting styles and attachment; social economic status and parent stability; sibling positions and relations; neighborhood and peer groups, including school and mass media—on the personality development of...
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...the overall development of children. It is not simply the society in which each child is born and lives but certain and identifiable parts of the society. Although every aspect of child development involves genetics, environmental factors contribute significantly in the personality development of children. Subcultures of race/ethnicity, economic status, faiths/religion, and locality/region, in addition to particular groups such as friends and family distinctly affect each child. Throughout the lifespan, people constantly confront new or varying situations—both individual and societal—and need to understand how to adjust to these conditions. The most significant time of acculturation occurs during infancy and childhood, which establishes the foundation of every child’s future personality. However, whether one becomes an extrovert or introvert, a genius or average, enthusiastic or passive is contingent upon many unique effects and is not easy to foresee when a child is first born. Familial, associative, academic, and communal influence impacts one’s worldview—how one reasons, socializes and develops a sense of self. This research examines environmental influences—such as parenting styles and attachment; social economic status and parent stability; sibling positions and relations; neighborhood and peer groups, including school and mass media—on the personality development of children. The Role of the Environment in Personality Development of Children Personality can be described...
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...the overall development of children. It is not simply the society in which each child is born and lives but certain and identifiable parts of the society. Although every aspect of child development involves genetics, environmental factors contribute significantly in the personality development of children. Subcultures of race/ethnicity, economic status, faiths/religion, and locality/region, in addition to particular groups such as friends and family distinctly affect each child. Throughout the lifespan, people constantly confront new or varying situations—both individual and societal—and need to understand how to adjust to these conditions. The most significant time of acculturation occurs during infancy and childhood, which establishes the foundation of every child’s future personality. However, whether one becomes an extrovert or introvert, a genius or average, enthusiastic or passive is contingent upon many unique effects and is not easy to foresee when a child is first born. Familial, associative, academic, and communal influence impacts one’s worldview—how one reasons, socializes and develops a sense of self. This research examines environmental influences—such as parenting styles and attachment; social economic status and parent stability; sibling positions and relations; neighborhood and peer groups, including school and mass media—on the personality development of children. The Role of the Environment in Personality Development of Children Personality can be described...
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...Personality Paper Patricia Poling Psychology 405 Febuary 13, 2012 Karen Wilson Personality Paper The meaning of personalities differs among psychologist. Most do agree the word personality derives from Latin persona. Persona refers to the mask an actor wears in their theatrical performances in Greek and Roman dramas (Fiest & Feist, 2006). This does not apply the complete meaning of personality. There are many others. This is one definition of personality. This does not apply to the definition altogether. A psychologist the term personality is referring to more than the role or part one plays. Traits refer to an individual and the different types of behavior. These behaviors are at times consistent, others these may be erratic. These may be modeled after the behaviors of environment. The characteristics of an individual implies the often to the physique, temperament, and intelligence (Feist & Feist). Theoretical Approaches to the Study of Personality In studying the personality scientist, use a set of logical deductive assumptions. Next, a theory is a set of related assumptions. A theory has more than a single assumption. The next key is to define the assumption. The theory is made up of examples that are not proven facts. Although these may not be facts, they are considered to be. The result will establish and continue to build on the original theory. Logical deductive reasoning is used in formatting a hypothesis. Assumption of a basic human nature, perspectives...
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...controversy concerning the issue is complicated because both nature and nurture play an important role in shaping one’s character. Although genetic makeup does influence how a person develops, the environment where one is brought up has a significant effect on the character. According to Keating (2010), the nurture versus nature debate dates back to the time of John Locke and Aristotle. The two philosophers had individual thoughts on the matter. Despite the arguments, it is accepted that the environment plays a bigger part in the development of one’s personality (Dowling, 2010). Psychologists argue that nature has a great influence on one’s character. Indeed, nature deals with a person’s genetic make-up as well as biological psychology. Genes determine physical traits such as blood type and eye color (Shaffer, 2008). Biological Siblings tent to show similar personality traits compared to adopted ones. Moreover, a person’s genes can determine whether a person can suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer. A person who suffers from such diseases shows how nature can play a role in the development of a person. Keating writes, “The nature debate is credible because of the genetic factors that support how people’s personalities and appearance develops, yet the nurture of a person ultimately overshadows the nature debate because environmental factors better influence the development of a person” (P. 141). People come from diverse backgrounds, which influence their...
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...experience and environment. Through the review of recent empirical data across these various fields it is clear that both nature and nurture plan an important role in the development of human behavior. Subsequently multidirectional models have emerged with a mounting emphasis on how nature and nurture act independently in addition to collectively each forever shaping the other. Together Nature and Nurture Shape Human Behavior. The discussion concerning the appropriate significance of genetics and environment in human behavior has been around for quite a long while. This topic has generated massive attention, throughout the years, gaining numerous supporters on both sides of the debate. This attention essentially, has lead to some of the most remarkable psychological discoveries in recent years. The terms nature and nurture can be traced back to13th century France, expressed by Francis Galton in 1874 (Nature versus nurture, 2011). The term nurture in refers to the manner in which behavior is shaped by culture and environment. It builds its foundation on John B. Watson's theory of behaviorism, which suggests that human behavior is learned, more readily than emerging instinctively. Individuals learn behavior by means of observation and imitating those around them (Feldman, 2011, p. 18). It is through social interaction that Individuals cultivate their unique personalities and behavioral patterns. Lacking social interaction, personality scarcely ripens...
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...Personality Development Nikki Aksamit University of Phoenix Personality Development Personality development has been tied to genetic and biological factors, as well as our interactions within our environments. Research has shown that genetics directly contribute to the determination of our personality traits. Growing up with a single parent mother, and having no direct contact with my biological father, I can only speak to a comparison between her and I. How a parent interacts with a child, and the environment that the child is raised in, influences the development of the child’s personality. From personal experience, I can see the direct correlation of parental behavior modeling and childhood environment in how personality traits are developed. Scientists have determined that genetics provide a template for a child’s temperament, but it is how those traits are encouraged or suppressed that ultimately determine the strength of those traits. In my own childhood, it was not only the influence of my mother that shaped my personality; educational, peer, and work environments also played a large role in how my personality developed. Genetic Factors Scientific research has indicated that our genetic make up is the foundation for a number of human traits. Included are the traits that make up our personalities; but the way these traits eventually appear varies according to our individual development process (University...
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...Is there a single definition of personality? If so, what is it? If not, why? There is no single correct definition of personality because there are contradicting theories of personality. For example one theorist might believe that personality is innate and that people are born with certain personalities. Another theorist might believe that personality is shaped based on the environment an individual is raised in or other social factors. For this reason theorists have not been able to come up with a single definition. Why is it important to understand personality? It is important to understand personality because it is important to know why people behave and react in certain ways and why people act the way they do toward other people. For example, in a work environment it would be important to understand personality because lets say you work in an environment where every one differs with their personalities. Most people at work would not get anything done and there would be constant arguments. What factors affect an individual’s personality development? Which factor has the biggest effect? Why? Some of the factors that play a role in a person’s development of personality are biological, environmental, and experiences. Biological factors include our genes and what we basically received from our parents. Certain traits may be from the mother and other might be from the father. Both the genetic makeup and the physical traits are tendencies that are innate that...
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...Lifespan Development and Personality Marie A. Hines PSY/103 March 12, 2012 Colleen Donald Lifespan Development and Personality Early childhood development can be affected by a number of factors, and it is impossible to underestimate the immense importance of the early development of children. Erik Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development contributed to the understanding of personality development throughout the lifespan. The lifespan development of human being involves the psychological and genetic alterations from the birth and end of the life. The progress of life is highly influenced by the hereditary and environmental factors involving the different aspects related to physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). Erik Erikson felt as if middle age children between the ages of six and twelve is where they begin to develop the mental skills needed in later years.“Elementary school-aged children, who succeed in learning new, productive life skills, develop a sense of pride and competence (industry). Those who fail to develop these skills feel inadequate and unproductive (inferior)” (Carpenter & Huffman, 2010). The phase of physical development of a child is classified as gross motor skills development and fine motor skills development. Hereditary factors play an important role in the physical growth and characteristics development of the child in the middle...
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...Personality Analysis: Dispositional and Learning Theories Analysis of personalities helps to give a better understanding for human behaviors and the process in which people learn. Theorists have worked for years discovering new theoretical approaches. Gordon Allport studied the personalities of individuals because that approach gave more definition to individuality and emphasized the uniqueness of the individual (Feist & Feist, 2009). Describing an individual with general traits only classifies people as a group. However, Allport believed to accurately know a person is by knowing the person as an individual. Individuality makes people different, no one person is the same; because people have different personalities the abilities to learn will be different too. Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory observes the manners in which people learn. Observational learning allows people to learn without performing actions or tasks (Feist & Feist, 2009). Basically people do learn from direct experiences but also learn from observing various tasks and actions by others. Most important the factors that give the answers to questions can be found through these forms of research and development. Dispositional Theories and Personalities Allport began his research of individual psychology by introducing his morphogenic science. Morphogenic science is the study of an individual, gathering information, and important data about the individual. Allport’s approach to personality theory...
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...Introduction to Personality When describing personality, one must take many factors into consideration. The definition itself is complex as there are many different opinions depending on the many theories of personality development. The New Big Five article by McAdams and Pals describe the unique facets of personality psychology. The factors that influence individual’s persona are many and are briefly mentioned in this essay. Personality Defined It is difficult to define personality. Each personality theorist has their own opinion depending on their own personal experiences (Feist & Feist, 2009). Although there is not a single specific definition for personality, each personality theorist has a distinct idea of the meaning of the word personality (Feist & Feist, 2009). A definition that may describe personality pertains to the unique traits and characteristics that relate to behavior that individuals possess that make them special and different from others (Feist & Feist, 2009). The authors further distinguish traits and characteristics. Traits could be distinctive, or they could be shared by a certain species (Feist & Feist, 2009). It is the pattern of the traits that distinguishes personality (Feist & Feist, 2009). Characteristics are also unique and have to do with “attributes as temperament, physique, and intelligence” (Feist & Feist, 2009, p. 4). Theoretical Approaches to Personality Although there are several theoretical...
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...across the lifespan Human psychology throughout the lifespan is exhibited through the three important elements of emotion, which include; emotional expression regulation of emotional experiences emotional recognition This essay will discuss each of the three elements in the following life developmental stages referring to biological evidence and well know developmental stages referring to biological evidence and well know developmental theorists where appropriate. The three life stages in this essay will be infancy and childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Emotional expression is a key aspect of learning in which the individuals recognizes how to apply emotions that are socially appropriate and in keeping with the emotional development of that person. During infancy, the use of facial expressions is a key means of communication to establish biological needs. For example crying when to be fed or laughing when defecating. At this stage of infancy usually about the first months of birth, key cognitive functions to express emotions such as smiling is reflexive, independent of external stimuli. With the advancement of age of 2 - 3 months this reflexive motor is replaced by social smiling, typically when the baby sees his or her caregivers face. From the ages of 4 - 5 years, emotional expressions begin to be shaped by societal and cultural expectations and this continues to expand between the ages of 8-12 years until adolescence. In adolescence, facial displays of emotion...
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...Abstract Research in the field of psychology has led to the development of a number of different theories about how personality develops. Different schools of thought in psychology influence many of these theories. Psychologists seek to describe personality characteristics and to explain how personality develops. As psychologists seek to define personality, a theory of personality is developed. This research paper examines six major tenants that are fundamental to the development of a personality theory. First, research is provided to explore the tenants of nature versus nurture, the unconscious, and view of self. These tenants build the basis under a broad area of foundations of personality. Second, research is provided to examine the tenants of development, motivation, and maturation. As these tenants are studied, a view on the progression of personality is developed. A third aspect of this research is an investigation into Biblical principles of developing a personality theory. To explore the six major tenants of a personality theory, this research paper analyzes scholarly journal articles and scholarly books published from 2007 to 2014. The findings of this research are valuable in developing a theory of personality that includes important Biblical integration. A Theory of Personality How is a theory of personality developed? Psychologists have long studied the development of human personality. The debate of “What influences the things people do and...
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...The environment has lost the battle round. When it comes to Nature and Nurture we can all agree that they have been in the battlefield for way too long. Psychologists and scientists have been working their fingers to the bones to find an answer yet some might say “well, why even bother?” Well , I believe that it’s crucial to identify what inspires humans development in order to create an impact and lead a person to the right path in life. In my opinion, Genes have a bigger role in the human development than environment. The effect of genes is astonishing in our personalities, intelligence and talent. Genes are one of the important factors that shape our personalities. I almost certain that some people would argue that siblings have similar genes yet they have at times...
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