Contribution of Nature and Nurture in the Development of Personality - Essay Example

According to Mares and Newman (2005), personality refers to the habitual or ingrained ways of functioning psychologically that emerge from a person’s history of development and which characterize the person’s style with time both as a young person and adult. There are many psychological theories that have been postulated in attempt explain the development of personality style. Currently there is ongoing debate about the relative contribution of nature and nurture to personality. The debate on nature versus nurture is one of the oldest in psychology and scholars are yet to determine which of the two has greater influence on personality development (Feldmen, 2000). Nature refers to heredity or genetic inheritance while nurture has a lot to do with the environment (Mares and Newman, 2005). The debate on whether nature or nurture has greater effect on personality development has almost been perfectly argued and supported by each side of the divide. Simply stated, each side has emphasized very essential details and great explanations for why heredity or environment controls personality development. Experiments and researches have been carried out on these two sides, and each supported with remarkable theories which explain why nature or nurture is the more important influence on personality development (Glass, 1999). A good number of scholars believe that nature is what determines individuals’ personalities, appearances, and other traits because it is hereditarily passed down. Furthermore, any issue that concerns traits depends on the concept of inborn biology. Most parents believe that any bad behavior or trait obtained by their children is due to bad parenting although in actual sense it may be due to biology and genes running through the family. Therefore, John Locke’s belief on tabula rasa, which states that the mind starts as a blank slate, has been refuted by some scholars and a conclusion that newborns do not have blank slates of personality, but rather have a set of genetically inherited traits has been made (Pinker, 2003). In some way, nature is the gift of genetics, which gives people physical traits such as eye color, hair color and body form. At the same time, it determines the type of emotions and motivations that individuals will experience, which can be endless. In fact, unless there is change to a person’s genetic material, no new emotion can be experienced. Therefore in away, genes give people behavior characteristics or certain traits. And nurture can make that choice for them in some occasions (Mares and Newman, 2005). Researches proving that temperaments of infants are highly influenced by biology than the environment have been carried out by various research institutions such as the University of Wisconsin. For example, studies of identical twins separated immediately after birth and raised in dissimilar environments show that the twins still end up more alike hence supporting the fact that genetics play a major role in personality development (Glass, 1999). However, although behavioral scholars have proven that nature highly influences personality development, they are yet to find out how genes interact to determine a given personality mannerism. What scientists have found out is that there is no single gene for a given trait, but that the genes work together in a complex combination to display their effect (Pinker, 2003). Controversially, while other scholars believe that nature affect personality development, others disagree. Their side of the debate claims that nurture is responsible for our characteristics and how we behave. The debate further claims that although genes give people the definite spunk to their personality, the environment has the authority to change it and make them into the exact opposite (Glass, 1999). In fact, the way a child is brought up can change how he or she turns out. Nurture theorists believe that it is not possible for one to grow up and not be affected by his or her environment. They feel that as children grow they learn and develop their personalities based on the environment that they are brought up in. Studies on how the environment influences the development of a child was carried out on tomatoes. Tomato seeds contain certain genes; however, they grow into the same thing no matter what, and due to these definite genes one of them may be predestined to grow better than others. But if seeds with different genes were to be picked up randomly and split up into two groups, with distinct environments, it is definite that the tomatoes would have different quality. One group given water, sunlight, good soil and care would grow better whereas the other group not given these benefits would definitely not do well. These differences in the environment of the two groups certainly change the outcome of the tomatoes. Thus bad soil (unfavorable environment) can change how something develops, such as humans (Feldmen, 2000). Moreover, the significance of environment is realized as early as the gestational stages of life when pregnant women are advised to be cautious while expecting since the intrauterine environment can either positively or adversely affect the unborn child. The pregnant women have to ensure that they do not smoke or use any drugs, exercise and get proper nutrition. These precautions are taken so as to control the environmental effect on the fetus. Therefore, it is evident that environment affects the behavior of individuals even in the early stages of their lives (Feldmen, 2000). Although there has been intense debate on how nature and nurture affect personality development, most psychologists and behavioral scientists have come to accept that the two are tied together and that behavior is a product of both of them. Each contributes to personality development and are not independent forces but interact with each other, that is, nature may influence nurture and nurture may as well influence nature. Studies of identical twins separated immediately after birth and raised in dissimilar environments have revealed that the twins still end up more alike hence supporting the fact that genetics play a major role in personality development. However, at the same time, the studies have exposed differences in twins raised in the same environment. One of the twins might be shy whereas as the other extroverted (Glass, 1999). Thus proving that genetics is not the only thing that influences personality development but that there are other factors and according to most scientists, the other factors are environmental factors. Reference List Feldmen, R. (2000). Essentials of Understanding Psychology (4th Ed.). Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Mares Sarah and Newman Louise (2005). Clinical Skills in Infant Mental Health. Aust Council for Ed Research Pinker, S. (2003, January 20). Are your genes to blame? Time, 161, 198 Glass, J. (1999, December). Nature vs. Nurture. Parenting, 13, 156 Case Study Diagnosis Going by his current behaviour, it is clear that John is suffering from a personality disorder. This disorder has come about as a result of his being made redundant at his job. John could be behaving the way he is due to the fact that he cannot reconcile himself to the fact that he no longer has a long term job. He must have loved his job since without it he is not himself at all. He has become anxious, paranoid, withdrawn and irritable. He has also lost all hope and optimism in life and he no longer wants to meet with other people. His behaviour is so serious that it is causing problems with his family. John is presenting symptoms associated with a Conflicted Avoidant Personality Disorder, which is greatly affecting him and those people around him (Kantor, 2003). Theodore Millon identified four types of Avoidant Personality Disorder which are classified as follows (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004): 1. Conflicted avoidant: this type includes negativistic characteristics. The patient in this case normally feels unsure with himself and towards others. Under pressure or stress, these patients tend to feel under-appreciated or misunderstood. They appear sulky or petulant most of the time. 2. Hypersensitive avoidant: this type includes paranoid characteristics. The patient is likely to experience mistrust and fear which may lead to paranoia. The patient may also be considered to be petulant most o the time. 3. Phobic avoidant: this type includes dependent features. The patient is normally reluctant to rely on others in fear that they are out to do him harm. 4. Self-deserting avoidant: this type includes episodes of major depression. Differential diagnosis shows that many people who suffer from this personality disorder normally monitor their mental and emotional reactions in an excessive manner when they are interacting with other people. However, the patients are normally unaware that their self monitoring is excessive, and instead they normally feel inadequate or inferior in the presence of others. These excessive self monitoring causes tension to build up and may erupt when they are anxious or when disturbed. People with a history of anxiety disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with Avoidant personality disorder than other people (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004). Symptoms The characteristic behaviour of a patient suffering from Avoidant Personality Disorder includes some pervasive social inhibition pattern and deep feelings of being inadequate. The patient is also very likely to be oversensitive to any form of negative evaluation (Kantor, 2003). Pervasive feelings of apprehension and tension are also common among patients suffering from this disorder. The symptoms associated with Avoidant Personality Disorder include (Weissman, Markowitz and Klerman, 2000): Avoidance of occupational activities that need interpersonal contact Reluctance to participate or get involved in social activities for fear of being rejected Fear of ridicule and shame in front of or by people close to the patient Preoccupation with the fear of being ridiculed or criticised. The patient may feel inhibited when in unfamiliar social situations as a result of inadequacy feelings The patient is likely to regard himself socially incompetent The patient fears taking social risk as he tries to avoid perceived humiliation High neuroticism may also be a major symptom of Avoidant Personality Disorder. This symptom is characterised by anxiety, tension, fearfulness, dejection, anger, guilt, hopelessness, irritability and even shame, the patient may also show signs of difficulty in inhibiting some impulses some of which are totally irrational. Another symptomatic behaviour associated with this disorder is low extraversion which is characterised by among other things: social isolation, lack of support networks, lack of zest and joy in life, interpersonal detachment and social inhibition (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004). Reasons for Diagnosis John’s behaviour currently points to an Avoidant Social Disorder. This is a disorder that many people have had to experience at any one time in their lives. Many people do experience an event that brings their level of self confidence down, just as John is going through (Weissman, Markowitz and Klerman, 2000). The anxiety that John is exhibiting and his changing social and personal behaviour is a clear indication that John is suffering from Avoidant Personality Disorder. His constant irritability and anxiety can be due to the stress and depression that comes as a result of this disorder (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004). One of the reasons why John is diagnosed with this disorder is his recent attitude towards himself and other people. He has built a cocoon around himself that no one, even his closest family members are likely to get anywhere near. His sense of self confidence has taken a nose dive since he was made redundant at his old job. He often locks himself up and social life is almost non-existent. He is disconnected, distant and he seems to be drifting far away from those people closest to him. John also seems to regard himself as socially incompetent or inferior as he has resulted to self seclusion. His preoccupation with the fear of being ridiculed or criticised is evident in the way he does not know how to deal with the fact that his family does not rely on him anymore. John also presents high neuroticism and low extraversion symptoms of avoidant personality disorder. He is always anxious, fearful and irritable. He feels dejected and hopeless due tot he fact that his professional future does not seem so good at the moment. He is also filled with guilt at the fact that he cannot support his family as well as he used to when he was still employed on a full time basis. John also has shown signs of social isolation in that he keeps himself locked up most of the time and he has failed to perform certain tasks concerning his personal hygiene. All these are signs enough that John is truly suffering from a personality disorder: the avoidant personality disorder. Therapies Two of the therapies that can be used to treat Avoidant Personality Disorder are Interpersonal Therapy and Cognitive- Behavioural Therapy (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004). Interpersonal therapy emphasizes on the past as well as the present interpersonal interactions and social roles of patients with Avoidant Personality Disorder. There are a number of interventions that are used in Interpersonal Psychotherapy: An emphasis on the emotions of clients An analysis of the patient’s treatment resistance An evaluation of the patient’s relationships and experiences History taking A focus of the current interpersonal experiences of the patient A look at the relationship between the therapist and his patient An exploration of the patient’s fantasies and wishes Interpersonal therapy puts much emphasis on the in the patient’s current relationships and social life and how these may be a cause of the symptoms associated with Avoidant Personal Disorder. However the therapy does not look deep into the root causes of the symptoms themselves. The main goal of the therapy is symptom minimization and an improvement of the social life of the patient. In the treatment of Avoidant Personal Disorders, Interpersonal therapy aims at diagnosing the problem in an explicit way. The therapy also aims to educate the patient about his condition, its causes and what treatment is available for him. Another goal of interpersonal therapy in dealing with personality disorders is to locate the interpersonal context that relates to symptom development of the disorder (Millon, Millon and Grossman, 2004). Strategies to cope with the situation can then be developed by both the therapist and his patient. The other type of therapy that is recommended for the treatment of patients suffering from avoidant personality disorder is the Cognitive-behavioural therapy. The theory that supports this treatment is based on the assumption that there are some faulty thinking patterns that trigger the disorder (Van Velzen, 2002). The therapy therefore lays an emphasis on transforming the perceived distorted thinking patterns by studying how valid they are. For instance, if a patient feels that he is socially inept, as in John’s case, it is up tot the therapist to find out how realistic these assumptions are. The therapist tries to make the patient see that there are those people around him who still consider him valuable and that social encounters can be enjoyable. This way, the insecurities that have built up within the patient over time are exposed and replaced by feelings of self-worth. This process has been given the name ‘social restructuring’ (Beck, Freeman and Davis, 2004). Evaluation of Therapies In John’s case, both of these therapies can work quite well to help him get back to his old life. The interpersonal therapy though short lived, will be useful in enabling John regain confidence not only in himself, but also in other people. It seems that John may have been suffering from an anxiety disorder before the avoidant personality disorder set in. It is important therefore to use both of these therapies to get to the bottom of the problem. Interpersonal therapy will be used to The Cognitive-Behavioural therapy will come in handy when trying to convince John that everything is not as bad as it seems. This therapy will also be useful in helping John get over his fear of inadequacy. Both of these therapies will designed in a way that John will be able to face himself, his family and the world without feeling embarrassed (Van Velzen, 2002). In other words, the therapies are meant to ensure that John gets his life back and he is happy with it. Reference List Beck, T.B., Freeman, A. and Davis, D.D. 2004. Cognitive therapy of personality disorders. New York: Guilford Press Kantor, M. 2003. Distancing: A guide to avoidance and avoidant personality disorder. Westport, Conn: Praeger Publishers. Millon, T., Millon, C.M. and Grossman, S. 2004. Personality Disorders in Modern Life. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Van Velzen, C. J. M. 2002. Social phobia and personality disorders: Comorbidity and treatment issues. Groningen: University Library Groningen. Weissman M.M., Markowitz J.C. and Klerman G.L. 2000. Comprehensive guide to interpersonal psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books Read More