An individual’s personality is the

complex of mental characteristics that

makes them unique from other people

It includes all of the patterns of

thought and emotions that cause us to
do and say things in particular ways

Personality also colors our values, beliefs and expectations

What other factors have we
learned about that affect
personality?

So…what is personality development?

 Personality development is the development of the
organized pattern of behaviors and attitudes that makes a
person who they are; it occurs by the constant interaction
with others and with the surrounding environment

Research by psychologists over the last several decades has

increasingly pointed to hereditary factors being more
important
 Some hereditary factors that contribute to personality
development do so as a result of interactions with the
particular social environment in which people live

Despite significant differences in the way children are raised

all around the world, some similarities do exist
personality
is organized around nodal points or experiences which
have received specific emphasis.
At the moment of conception each new human being
receives a genetic inheritance which provides all the
potentialities for his behaviour and development
throughout his life time. This endowment includes
potentialities for an individual’s bodily equipment, for
the development of specific skills, abilities and kinds
of behaviour and for patterns of growth and change
throughout a predictable life cycle.
For example, boys and girls are socialized differently to some
extent in all cultures
Girls on the other hand, are often steered to learn how to do
more domestic tasks

Parents do not always follow these stereotypes with their sons

and daughters
Girls who participate in physical activities are often called
“tomboys” where boys who take up less masculine activities
may be teased for doing something ‘girly’

Different societies will raise different personalities

Heredity & Environment:

Nature & Nurture

Are we who we are because of the traits we were born with or
because of the environment we were brought up in?

Studies of identical twins separated at birth reveal that

heredity plays a very big role in who we are

Other studies have shown that you are born with certain
traits and potential, but the environment determines which
potentials are developed
 The debate between heredity and environment is
termed, “Nature vs. Nurture.”

You are born with certain traits, but the traits that you
develop will be determined by your environmental upbringing

Both heredity and environment will affect who you are

 Heredity
Physical Appearance
Intelligence
Physical Traits
(coordination, rhythm,
balance, athletic abilities)
Talents & Innate
Abilities (a beautiful
singing voice, artistic talent,
etc.)
Environment
Community & School
Involvement
How you use your
intelligence (grades,
curiosity, etc.)
Religious Beliefs
Interests & Hobbies
 Journal Entry:
Do you think one has more influence over the other?

Do you think heredity or environment has affected your

personality development the most?