What Influences Personality Development? Many Factors
What Influences Personality Developmentthere Are Many Factors That In
What Influences Personality Developmentthere Are Many Factors That In
What influences personality development? There are many factors that influence personality development in each individual. Some of these factors are: culture, genetics, family, and peers. Based on the reading and your own experience, consider which factor(s) have the greatest impact on personality development and which factors have the least impact on personality development.
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Consider the many factors that could influence personality development. Post which factor(s) that influence personality have the greatest impact and which factor(s) have a lesser impact on how human personality develops. Read your colleagues' postings. Respond to at least two colleagues’ posts and comment on the differences between the factors that they chose and those that you wrote about in your main post.
Paper For Above instruction
Personality development is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, with some exerting a more significant impact than others. Among these, genetics and family environment tend to be primary contributors, shaping foundational aspects of personality early in life. Culture also plays a crucial role by providing the societal norms, values, and expectations that guide individual's behaviors and self-perceptions. Conversely, factors such as peers and specific social experiences typically exert a more moderate or context-dependent influence on personality development.
Genetics arguably have the greatest impact on personality development because they provide the biological framework within which personality traits are expressed. Studies, including twin research, demonstrate that many personality characteristics—such as extraversion, neuroticism, and openness—have heritable components (Bouchard & Loehlin, 2001). These inherited traits establish a baseline that interacts with environmental influences over the lifespan. For example, a person genetically predisposed to extroversion may be more inclined to seek social interactions, reinforcing their social traits.
Family environment is also a highly impactful factor. From early childhood, familial interactions, parenting styles, and emotional climate influence personality formation (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2019). Supportive, nurturing families tend to foster secure self-esteem and social competence, whereas inconsistent or neglectful parenting can contribute to personality issues or maladaptive traits. The family acts as the primary socialization agent—shaping values, norms, and initial self-concepts—that persist into later life.
Culture significantly shapes individual personalities by embedding societal expectations and norms. Collectivist cultures emphasize interdependence, social harmony, and conformity, which influence personalities to be more community-oriented. In contrast, individualist cultures prioritize independence, self-expression, and personal achievement, fostering traits related to self-assertiveness and autonomy (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). These cultural influences are pervasive and mold personality through socialization practices, language, and shared customs.
On the other hand, peers and social experiences tend to have a intermediate or situational impact. Peer groups are especially influential during adolescence, affecting behaviors, interests, and self-perceptions. However, peer influence often interacts with the foundation laid by genetics, family, and culture (Brown, 2004). For example, peers may reinforce or challenge values learned at home, but they usually operate within the broader cultural and familial context.
In conclusion, while multiple factors influence personality development, genetics and family environment are generally regarded as having the greatest and earliest impacts, providing the biological and initial social frameworks. Culture further shapes personality by embedding societal norms and expectations. Peers and social experiences modify and reinforce personality traits throughout development, but typically exert less foundational influence compared to genetics, family, and culture. Understanding the interplay of these factors helps illuminate the dynamic and multifaceted nature of personality development.
References
- Bouchard, T. J., & Loehlin, J. C. (2001). Genes, Evolution, and Personality. Behavior Genetics, 31(3), 243–273.
- Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2019). Human Development: A life-span view (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the Self: Implications for Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224–253.
- Brown, B. B. (2004). Adolescents' Relationships with Peers. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology (pp. 331–361). Wiley.