M1 :Discuss the nature-nurture debate in relation to the development of an individual In this assignment I will be discussing the nature- nurture debate in relation to the development of an individual. The nature- nurture debate has been around for many centuries which argues about the role of heredity and environment in human development. The nature – nurture debate is concerned with particular aspects of behaviour which are believed to be either a product of inherited or learned characteristics. Some philosophers and theorists have argued that we are just born to be the way we are. Whereas other theorists have argued that is is the way we are brought up and influenced by our surroundings that makes an individual the way they are.
The potential that one can reach in life is determined by the set of genes inherited from both parents. The factor that influences or discourages growth in those genes that make up his or her characteristics is the environment in which he or she
This side of the nature-nurture debate suggests that we are a certain way because of the way we were bought up and our life experiences. Biological programming - this comes down to your genes. Biological programming suggests that you will have similar medical conditions to your parents supporting the idea of natural selection and genetics. Maturation theory - this theory sees child development as being controlled by evolution and that genetically there is a series of events that will occur automatically. It is believed the development has a biological process and this can be predicted over time.
The nature-nurture debate is all about whether genetics (nature) or our environment (nurture) is responsible for our behaviour and development. Early theorists believed that our personality, intellect, behaviour and gender role were determined by our genes and therefore could not be changed. But an increasing amount of evidence has proved these theorists wrong, and our development as an individual is learnt through the environment we live in. One developmental stage of an individual that psychologists have the nature-nurture debate about is the intelligence stage. The nature side of that intelligence is present at birth and we already have a set amount of intelligence.
To remain receptive to the intuitive process, an individual must trust in himself. Emerson and Kant warn that conformity and consistency in one’s thinking and acting permits society to dictate an individual’s being; therefore undermining the notion of taking responsibility for one’s own mind. This in turn creates barriers the individual must overcome in order to reach enlightenment. In “Self-Reliance”, Emerson believes that the individual loses a part of himself by not being self sufficient enough to trust ones opinions. “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within…In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty…They teach us to abide by our spontaneous impression with good humored inflexibility…” (Emerson, 164) Emerson stresses not the substance of the ‘‘rejected thoughts’’, but their quality of ‘‘majesty’’ or greatness.
Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Ricardo Guerra Jr. PHY/250 June 14, 2012 Prof Barry S. Moore Biological and Humanistic Approaches to Personality Notes: * WRITE: 1050 – 1400 ( ~ 1275) word paper analyzing the biological and humanistic approaches to personality. Your paper should cover: * Use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to discuss the extent to which growth needs influence personality formation * Describe biological factors that influence the formation of personality * Examine the relationship of biological factors to Maslow’s theory of personality * Explain the basic aspects of humanistic theory that are incompatible with biological explanations of personality UNCLUDE: an introduction and conclusion in your paper FORMAT: your paper consistent with APA guidelines Para 1 – Introduction Abraham Maslow divided the organismic needs into two groups of needs: DEFICIENCY NEEDS which are needed for survival and the second being self-actualization. Deficiency Needs were broken down further by Maslow into different categories. * Physiological needs which are based on necessities to survive, examples: food, water, shelter and sex. * A Safety need is being predictable surroundings in which everything makes sense.
These include needs for a sense of security and predictability in the world. The person tries to maintain the conditions that allow him or her to feel safe and avoid danger. Maslow thought that inadequate fulfillment of these needs might explain neurotic behavior and other emotional problems in some people. Love and belonging needs: When the individual's physiological and safety needs are met, needs for love and belongingness emerge.
We need an option, and being optimistic may give us false promises or facades to see one thing and create inability to be resilient with the other available options. Being realistic is also applicable in our relationships. When relating to people, we can always see good things within our friends, yet similar to all things, humans are not perfect. The realistic outlook can help us understand human imperfection and not overestimate the relationship so that it can’t let us as down as not being able to move on at all. There are cases where our loved ones pass away or they are far away from us.
Biological factors that affect personality “This is a few of the biological factors that can influence a person’s personality. Biological factors determine the individual's "temperament", the group of personality characteristics that seem to be present in some form from early life onward and that make us consider people as having individualized personalities. Temperamental characteristics are expressed in different ways as the person matures, but are always there, no matter whether experiences tend to encourage or discourage them (2009, Jean Mercer)”. “One example of a temperamental factor is activity level. This does not refer to so-called "hyperactivity" in a pathological sense, but simply to the preferred amount of activity with which an individual feels comfortable.
In other words, self-esteem serves a motivational function by making it more or less likely that people will take care of themselves and explore their full potential. People with high self-esteem are also people who are motivated to take care of themselves and to persistently strive towards the fulfillment of personal goals and aspirations. People with lower self-esteem don't tend to regard themselves as worthy of happy outcomes or capable of achieving them and so tend to let important things slide and to be less persistent and resilient in terms of overcoming adversity. They may have the same kinds of goals as people with higher self-esteem, but they are generally less motivated to pursue them to their conclusion. Self-esteem is a somewhat abstract concept; it's hard for someone who doesn't already have it to know what it would be like to have it.