Is Personality Something We Are Born Wi
Is personality something we are born with or something that develops across a lifespan? Discuss.
“Personality refers to an individual 's characteristic patterns of thought, emotions, and behaviour, together with the psychological mechanisms — hidden or not — behind those patterns.” — David C. Funder (Bernardo J. Carducci 2009). Throughout the whole of Psychology the nature/nurture debate plays a big role. Are we born the way we are or does our environment shape us? If personality were something we are born with, then that would favour the nature debate, but if personality were something that develops across a lifespan, then that would favour the nurture debate. Some psychologists and philosophers believe that both nature and nurture play a role in development and that you cannot have one without the other.
Fourth century philosopher Augustine of Hippo believed that all humans were born with a selfish gene and must seek spiritual re-birth by submitting themselves to religious training (Boyd/Bee 2011). Developmental outcomes, good or bad, were seen as the result of each individual’s struggle to overcome their unborn tendency to be selfish. This is an example of nurture overriding nature. Jean – Jacques Rousseau (18th century) shares a similar view with Augustine of Hippo, as he believed that all humans were naturally good and seek out experiences to help them grow. Poor outcomes occur when a child experiences frustration in their efforts to express their innate goodness, suggesting that personality is developed across a life span.
In the 17th century John Locke claimed that children are born a blank slate (Adams-Hunt 2011). This is also known as empiricism (the doctrine that all knowledge derives from experience). He believed that all differences between people were due to experience and that adults can mould children into whatever they want them to be. He explained differences in adults as a result of their childhood experiences. Steven Pinker (2002) agreed with
“Personality refers to an individual 's characteristic patterns of thought, emotions, and behaviour, together with the psychological mechanisms — hidden or not — behind those patterns.” — David C. Funder (Bernardo J. Carducci 2009). Throughout the whole of Psychology the nature/nurture debate plays a big role. Are we born the way we are or does our environment shape us? If personality were something we are born with, then that would favour the nature debate, but if personality were something that develops across a lifespan, then that would favour the nurture debate. Some psychologists and philosophers believe that both nature and nurture play a role in development and that you cannot have one without the other.
Fourth century philosopher Augustine of Hippo believed that all humans were born with a selfish gene and must seek spiritual re-birth by submitting themselves to religious training (Boyd/Bee 2011). Developmental outcomes, good or bad, were seen as the result of each individual’s struggle to overcome their unborn tendency to be selfish. This is an example of nurture overriding nature. Jean – Jacques Rousseau (18th century) shares a similar view with Augustine of Hippo, as he believed that all humans were naturally good and seek out experiences to help them grow. Poor outcomes occur when a child experiences frustration in their efforts to express their innate goodness, suggesting that personality is developed across a life span.
In the 17th century John Locke claimed that children are born a blank slate (Adams-Hunt 2011). This is also known as empiricism (the doctrine that all knowledge derives from experience). He believed that all differences between people were due to experience and that adults can mould children into whatever they want them to be. He explained differences in adults as a result of their childhood experiences. Steven Pinker (2002) agreed with
References: Bernardo J. Carducci., 2009. The Psychology of Personality: Viewpoints, Research, and Applications Bowlby, J. (1969/1982). Attachment and Loss, Vol. 1: Attachment. Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer., 2008. Psychology: Modules for Active Learning Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer., 2010. Psychology: A Journey Helen Bee, Denise Boyd., 2011. Lifespan Development John Fleischman., 2004. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome But True Story About Brain Science Karen A. Foss, Stephen W. Littlejohn., 2007. Theories of Human Communication. Melissa May Adams – Hunt., 2011. Sex and Species Differences in Cognition and Emotion: An Evolutionary Approach Murray, H. A., 1938. Explorations in Personality. Steven Pinker., 2002. The Blank Slate