Resources Articles Located Through The University Library
Resources Articles Located Through The University Library Or Other So
Resources Articles Located Through The University Library Or Other Sources Select a famous individual from the 20th or 21st century. Obtain faculty approval for your selection prior to beginning this assignment. Conduct research concerning the background of your selected individual to determine what forces impacted his or her life from the viewpoint of developmental psychology. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you address the following items: Distinguish between the influences of heredity and environment on the person’s psychological development. Be sure to specify which area of psychological development: moral, emotional, or other.
What family issues or social support systems may have influenced the person’s developmental growth and adjustment? Select two different theories of personality and apply them to your selected figure, and answer the following question: How does each theory differ in terms of how it explains the individual's unique patterns or traits? Explain which theoretical approach you believe best explains the individual's behaviors and achievements. Make sure to explain why you made this choice. Use a minimum of three sources and be prepared to discuss your paper in class.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.
Paper For Above instruction
Resources Articles Located Through The University Library Or Other So
The development of individuals is a complex interplay of various biological, psychological, and social factors. When examining the life of a prominent figure from the 20th or 21st century through the lens of developmental psychology, it is crucial to understand how heredity and environment shape psychological growth. This paper explores these influences, focusing on a selected individual, analyzing family and social support systems, and applying personality theories to better understand their traits and behaviors.
Influences of Heredity and Environment on Psychological Development
Heredity provides the biological foundation for an individual's psychological capacities, such as intelligence, temperament, and predispositions toward certain emotional or moral tendencies. These genetic influences are fixed at conception, shaping innate traits that form the basis of personality and behavior. Conversely, environment encompasses all external factors, including family, culture, social interactions, and life experiences, which interact dynamically with hereditary traits to influence psychological development (Plomin et al., 2016).
In the case of the selected individual, these influences are evident in both innate temperamental qualities and the external circumstances that either fostered or hindered psychological growth. For example, a person born with a predisposition toward emotional sensitivity may exhibit complex emotional development based on their social environment and life experiences.
Psychological Development Area: Emotional Development
Focusing on emotional development, hereditary factors such as temperament influence emotional reactivity and regulation. However, environmental influences—such as familial support, social relationships, and cultural norms—determine how emotional skills are expressed, managed, and integrated into broader psychological functioning. For instance, supportive family environments may facilitate healthy emotional regulation, whereas adverse conditions might lead to difficulties in managing emotional responses.
Family Issues and Social Support Systems
Family dynamics and social support systems significantly impact psychological growth and adjustment. A nurturing family environment can promote resilience, self-esteem, and social competence, while dysfunctional family relationships or neglect can lead to issues such as anxiety, depression, or attachment difficulties (Walsh, 2016). Social support networks—friends, mentors, community resources—serve as additional buffers, providing emotional validation and practical assistance during developmental challenges (Cohen & Wills, 1985).
The selected individual's life appears to have been influenced by family circumstances that either fostered stability or presented obstacles to growth. For example, a supportive parental figure might have encouraged educational pursuits and social engagement, while a tumultuous family background could have contributed to struggles with identity and self-esteem. Similarly, access to community resources and social networks can facilitate or hinder adaptation in adulthood.
Application of Personality Theories
Theory 1: Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory posits that personality is shaped by unconscious motives and early childhood experiences. The structure of personality comprises the id, ego, and superego, which develop through psychosexual stages (Freud, 1923). Applying this theory to the individual suggests that unresolved conflicts from early childhood—such as issues related to trust, authority, or sexuality—may have left enduring impacts on personality traits and behaviors.
From this perspective, the person's patterns—such as defensive behaviors, emotional responses, or value systems—can be understood as expressions of unconscious processes rooted in early familial interactions and experiences. For example, an overindulgent or neglectful upbringing could manifest as difficulties in emotional regulation or moral decision-making in later life.
Theory 2: Big Five Personality Traits
The Big Five model emphasizes five broad dimensions of personality: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (McCrae & Costa, 1997). This trait-based approach explains individual differences through measurable traits rather than underlying conflicts. Applying this model to the individual allows for assessment of their personality profile based on observations and self-reports.
For example, high neuroticism may correspond to emotional vulnerability, while high extraversion might relate to social engagement and confidence. This approach provides a descriptive snapshot of personality, which can be linked to behavioral tendencies and achievements.
Choosing the Best Theoretical Explanation
While Freud’s psychoanalytic theory offers depth in understanding unconscious motives and childhood influences, it tends to be less empirically testable. In contrast, the Big Five provides a more measurable and pragmatic framework for understanding personality traits. In the case of this individual, I believe that the Big Five model best explains their behaviors and achievements because it offers a clear, evidence-based approach that aligns with observable traits and allows for practical analysis of personality development over time.
However, it is essential to recognize that integrating both theories can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the person—combining the depth of psychoanalysis with the clarity of trait-based models.
Conclusion
Analyzing a famous individual's life through developmental psychology reveals the intricate interplay between heredity, environment, family issues, and social support systems. Applying personality theories such as Freud’s psychoanalytic model and the Big Five demonstrates different explanations for individual traits and behaviors. Although each has limitations, the Big Five offers a practical, empirically supported framework, making it a compelling choice for understanding personality development in this context. Ultimately, integrating multiple perspectives enriches our comprehension of complex human development, informing future research and interventions.
References
- Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310–357.
- Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. Hogarth Press.
- McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1997). Personality trait structure as a human universal. American Psychologist, 52(5), 509–516.
- Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderhiser, J. M. (2016). Behavioral genetics (7th ed.). Worth Publishers.
- Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening family resilience. The Guilford Press.