Personality and Discussion of Innate Good - Essay Example

? Personality and Discussion of Innate Good Introduction The innate good concept has been a heated debate for years and controversy has been interesting in the adoption issues whereby innate traits (natural qualities) and individual experiences (nurture) of an individual differed depending on the childhood environment. Modern ideas illustrates that none of both inborn characteristics and learned qualities is permanent. Additionally, researchers have indicated that the external forces can influence individuals’ personality just the same way inborn qualities would; therefore, it is complex to determine the function of innate concept in character trait development. The innate good concept has been a central question in personality studies; therefore, the discussion will discuss the concept of innate good in relation to various personality theories. Discussion Psychoanalysts argue that development of personality starts at childhood and is shaped a one growth through a number of emotional development stages. Various personality theorists have different views about the concept of innate good and development of personality. Trait theorist They assert that personality comprise of diverse broad traits – trait being a moderately stable quality that make a persona to act in a particular manner, and that combination of different traits forms ideal personal personality. Theorists argue that every individual has at least seven qualities that manifest in his behavior and that combination and interaction of different qualities makes persons personality. It suggests that people posses diverse qualities that are persistent over a certain period and that people do not share same traits but share similar trait pool that comprise of human psyche. The various combinations of qualities in different people make them unique and different from others. Individuals characteristics are permanent human aspects that seen in consistency of their behavior, (Mehrabian, 2008); therefore, the theories aims at identifying human differences based on different personality traits sets. The theory indicates little about personality development and predicting people’s behavior in a certain condition is not a major concern for them. Additionally, it lacks a medium for personality transformation. Critics of the theory argue that Traits are poor behavior predictors because some people may score high on certain trait assessment and may not manifest similar traits in all occasions. Similarly, the theory only explains why and how people manifest different qualities but do not explain the origin of various Biological Theorists They assert that genetic make-ups are the main source of personality differences because there is a connection between personality characteristics and genetics. They suggests that some personality qualities are inherited, for instance, evidence indicates that introverts have increased cortical stimulation making them to avoid stimulation, whereas extroverts have reduced arousal of cortical making then to seek experiences of stimulation. Biological theory is the most favored by various psychological theorists because they argue that most of human behavior and traits inborn and can be inherited from one person to another, and that diverse personality trait in human race result because of natural selection. Genetic studies offer crucial insights into the vital function of heredity in personality qualities development because studies of twins show similarities in personality traits such as temperament. Critics argue that even though, personality characteristics are seen to be linked to biological process, social factors can also shape personality traits. For instance, caregivers’ behavior and interactions with a child may influence her personality because the child will always learn and imitate the traits of the caregiver. Behavioral Theorists They argue that an individual’s character traits and personality type is greatly influenced by the interaction of the person and the surrounding environment. Studies of human behavior mainly focus on observable behavior and measurable acts, ignoring studies that focus in innate thoughts and feelings. They see personality as behavior learned and acquired via classical conditionings and reinforced through punishment and rewards. They maintain that developmental experiences direct dictates human characteristics and design their future qualities and personality, (Maddi, 2008). Behaviorists also suggest that external factors – environment – determine human personality because they believe that people have repeated patterns of traits because of certain kind of response tendencies. This implies that with time human beings learn to conduct themselves in a certain manner. Behaviorists believe that childhood development and experiences play a critical part in shaping human personality, therefore, according to them personality develops throughout human life courtesy of various external forces. Cognitive behaviorists focus on the cognition roles in the process of cognition, while social and cognitive learning experts emphasize on external behavior that individual manifest as well as their expectations and thoughts concerning themselves and other people’s behavior. Behaviorist theorists also focus on how people perceive themselves and their capabilities. People’s interactions with others, social roles and cultural practices shape their personality. Behaviorist believe that personal qualities and certain social situations influence personality traits of people, therefore, personality formation is a two way traffic, resulting from environment and personal characteristics interactions, (Mehrabian, 2008).  Critics argues that behavioral theorists constantly ignore the role of biological aspects in human personality shaping and that by focusing on conditional effects on personality, cognitive experts underestimate personality qualities significance. Behaviorists mainly focus on animal behavior studies and use the outcomes to generalize people, therefore, such generalizing outcomes and this may be underestimating as people’s dynamic process of thinking that influence behavior. Humanistic theorists They focus on the role free will and personal experience in personality development. They also focus on self-actualization aspect that is an innate requirement for human growth that influence behavior. Humanistic theorists suggest that human beings are innately good and have a positive stimulation toward fulfilling of self-desires. Personality development emanates from initial development of an individual’s self-concept, (Maddi, 2008). Humanisms employed self-concept term to describe all beliefs and knowledge that people have on their nature, unique characteristics, and real traits and are concerned with an individual’s self-concept and his experiences. The aim of attaining better personality is to be certain of one’s innate feelings and allow such feelings to direct him towards positive mind. This guides the assumption that human beings have liberty and choice. Humanism offers a crucial and unique basis to utilize when assessing motivation to develop an individual self and character. However, various criticisms occur to humanism, for instance, the operationalizing success, development of character and other related terms are subjective. Therefore, empirical research on the humanism is challenges. Conclusion These personality theories are crucial to the study of human personality because they provide an approach in personality analysis. They also offer unique insights into study on human behavior. References Maddi, S. R. (2008). Personality theories: A comparative analysis. Homewood, Ill: Dorsey Press. Mehrabian, A. (2008). An analysis of personality theories. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice-Hall. Read More