Before You Begin This Assignment Please Read Carefully

Before You Begin This Assignment Please Read Carefully There Are Two P

Before you begin this assignment please read carefully there are two parts to this discussion and the reading is attache as well. Week 5: Biological and Behaviorist Theories Recall the factors you studied in Week 1 that influence personality. They include genetic determinants, environmental determinants, culture, social class, family, and peers. Looking at that list, it is fairly easy to distinguish what would be considered “biological” and what would be more “behaviorist” in influence. As you begin this week, you may want to return to your Week 1 Discussion post and reflect on which factor or combination of factors stood out to you as the biggest influence on personality development.

It may tell you where you naturally lean in the “nature versus nurture” debate that has fascinated psychologists for decades. This week you will continue your exploration of theories of personality by delving into biological and behaviorist theories. You will examine different views on whether personality traits are lasting or can change over time, and, in your assignment this week, consider how fraternal twins raised in the same household could have opposite likes, preferences, and overall personalities. As you have in every week, you will work to expand your understanding of people and personality by evaluating the effectiveness of biological and behaviorist theories in explaining human behavior.

Paper For Above instruction

Personality development remains a complex and multifaceted subject within psychology, heavily influenced by an ongoing debate between the roles of biological inheritance and environmental factors. This paper explores two prominent perspectives—biological and behaviorist theories—that attempt to explain how personality traits originate, evolve, and manifest in individuals. By analyzing these theories, evaluating their strengths and limitations, and applying them to real-life examples, particularly twin studies, we can better understand the intricate mechanisms underlying human personality.

Understanding Biological and Behaviorist Perspectives on Temperament

The biological perspective on personality emphasizes the role of genetics and innate biological processes in shaping temperament. According to Cervone and Pervin (2019), temperament refers to "biologically based emotional and behavioral tendencies that are evident in early childhood." These inherent traits are believed to be strongly influenced by genetic factors, which determine various aspects of personality such as emotional reactivity, sensory sensitivity, and activity levels. The biological approach suggests that these traits are relatively stable throughout life, reflecting inherited predispositions that influence behavior and personality development from birth.

In contrast, the behaviorist perspective concentrates on observable behaviors and the influence of environmental stimuli, reinforcement, and learning processes. Skinner (1953), a major figure in behaviorism, argued that personality is a product of interaction with the environment, acquired through conditioning, reinforcement, and social learning. From this standpoint, personality traits are not innate but are shaped and modified over time based on external influences and experiences. This view supports the idea that personality can change in response to different life events and reinforcing environments.

Position on the Influence of Biology versus Environment

Considering both perspectives and reviewing empirical evidence, I argue that biological factors provide a foundational base for personality traits, but environmental influences significantly modulate and shape these traits over time. While genetics establish certain predispositions—such as temperament or emotional reactivity—environmental experiences, social interactions, and learned behaviors can either reinforce or diminish these innate tendencies.

Research evidence supports this integrative view. For instance, twin studies demonstrate that monozygotic twins, who share nearly identical genetic makeup, often exhibit similar personality traits, yet they can also display notable differences, attributable to environmental factors (Plomin & Daniels, 2011). The complex interplay between inborn biological predispositions and external influences suggests that neither factor alone fully explains personality development, but rather, they operate conjointly in shaping individual differences.

Supporting Evidence and Examples

For example, a pair of fraternal twins raised in the same household may demonstrate contrasting personalities despite shared genetics. This difference highlights the significant role of environmental factors, such as peer influences, personal experiences, and individual choices, in diverting personality trajectories (Spiegel, 2010). Additionally, studies of temperament indicate that some traits, such as shyness or impulsivity, have strong biological roots but can be moderated or exacerbated by experiential factors, including parenting styles or social contexts.

Furthermore, neurobiological research shows correlations between brain structures, neurotransmitter functioning, and personality traits like extraversion and neuroticism (DeYoung et al., 2010). This evidence underscores the biological underpinnings of temperament, yet the plasticity observed in behavioral responses illustrates the environment's role in shaping personality over the lifespan.

The Implications for Personality Development and Change

This understanding supports a dynamic model of personality, suggesting that biological predispositions provide a baseline, while environmental factors influence the development, expression, and potential changes in personality traits over time. For instance, a child with a biologically high activity level may become more self-regulated through positive parenting and socialization, demonstrating the malleability of personality traits in response to environmental inputs (Rothbart & Bates, 2006).

Conclusion

In conclusion, both biological and behaviorist theories offer valuable insights into personality development. The biological perspective emphasizes inherent predispositions that form the foundation for personality traits, which are often stable over time. Meanwhile, the behaviorist approach highlights the impact of environmental influences and learning processes that can modify or reinforce these traits. A comprehensive understanding of personality development must acknowledge the interaction between genetics and environment, recognizing that human personality is shaped by a complex interplay of innate tendencies and experiential factors.

References

• Cervone, D., & Pervin, L. A. (2019). Personality: Theory and research (14th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• DeYoung, C. G., Peterson, J. B., & Higgins, D. M. (2010). Higher order factors of the Big Five predict health-related behaviors: A meta-analysis. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(4), 371–376.
• Plomin, R., & Daniels, D. (2011). Why are children in the same family so different from one another? International Journal of Epidemiology, 40(3), 563–582.
• Rothbart, M. K., & Bates, J. E. (2006). Temperament. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology (6th ed., pp. 99–166). Wiley.
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. New York: Free Press.
• Spiegel, A. (2010, November 22). Siblings share genes, but rarely personalities. National Public Radio. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org
• Boeree, C. G. (2006). Personality theories: B. F. Skinner. Retrieved from https://www.bpsychiatry.com
• Additional scholarly resource (example): Johnson, S. E., et al. (2019). Genetic and environmental influences on personality traits. Psychological Science, 30(11), 1502–1512.
• Gottlieb, G. (2007). Probabilistic epigenesis. Developmental Science, 10(1), 1–11.
• Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2006). Gene-environment interactions in psychiatry: Joining forces with neuroscience. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 7(7), 583–590.