Discussion Post 1: Biological and Behaviorist Theories
Recall the factors you studied that influence personality. They include genetic determinants, environmental determinants, culture, social class, family, and peers. Looking at that list, it is fairly easy to distinguish what would be considered "biological" and what would be more "behaviorist" in influence. As you begin this week, you may want to return to your Week 1 Discussion post and reflect on which factor or combination of factors stood out to you as the biggest influence on personality development. It may tell you where you naturally lean in the "nature versus nurture" debate that has fascinated psychologists for decades.
You will continue your exploration of theories of personality by delving into biological and behaviorist theories. You will examine different views on whether personality traits are lasting or can change over time, and, in your Assignment, consider how fraternal twins raised in the same household could have opposite likes, preferences, and overall personalities. You will work to expand your understanding of people and personality by evaluating the effectiveness of biological and behaviorist theories in explaining human behavior.
a) Analyze biological theories to understanding of temperament
b) Analyze behaviorist theories to understanding of temperament
c) Evaluate biological and behaviorist theories as explanations of human behavior
d) Compare biological and behaviorist theories
e) Apply biological and behaviorist theories in explaining personality differences
f) Evaluate effectiveness of biological and behaviorist theories in explaining human behavior
g) Demonstrate an understanding of biological and behaviorist theories.
Discussion Post 2: Biological and Behaviorist Perspectives of Temperament
The glossary of your text defines temperament as "biologically based emotional and behavioral tendencies that are evident in early childhood" (Cervone & Pervin, 2019, p. 427). With that definition in mind, recall the results of your personality trait assessment and, based on what you know about yourself as a young child, consider how many of those traits have described your personality since early childhood. Were there traits revealed on the assessment that you had never connected to yourself, or ones that seem to have evolved as you have grown older?
Your Discussion post dependent on those answers, but they may help you in sorting out biological and behaviorist theories of personality and arriving at your views on which-biology or environment-has more influence on temperament. In other words, will traits a child shows at birth be lasting, or do outside influences play a greater role in shaping temperament?
For this Discussion, you will explore the concept of temperament and how it is viewed from biological and behaviorist perspectives. You will also need to take a position and defend it. Note that the reading in the text this week is different from other chapters, as the authors state. It is less a discussion of theories and more a presentation of scientific findings, which you can use to support your point of view. You are also required to find an additional scholarly resource not included in the Learning Resources to bolster your pro-biology or pro-environment perspective. Begin now to prepare to join this longstanding debate: Does nature or nurture have more influence on temperament?
To prepare:
a) Review the Learning Resources for this week.
b) Consider how biological and behaviorist theories apply to your experience with temperament-both your own and that of others you know well.
c) Based on the Learning Resources and your experience, take a position on whether biology or environment is more influential in explaining temperament.
d) Research in the Walden Library or other sources for a scholarly resource that provides additional evidence for your position.
Post a response that includes the following:
a) In your own words, explain how temperament is viewed from the biological and behaviorist perspectives.
b) State your position on whether biology or environment is more influential in shaping and explaining an individual's temperament. Support your position with findings from the Learning Resources, the scholarly resource that you found, and examples from your experience
Respond to at least one of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:
a) Ask a probing question and provide insight into how you would answer your question and why.
b) Ask a probing question and provide the foundation, or rationale, for the question.
c) Expand on your colleague's posting by offering a new perspective or insight.
d) Agree with a colleague and offer additional (new) supporting information for consideration.
e) Disagree with a colleague by respectfully discussing and supporting a different perspective.
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.