Personality Type Notes

Question – Discuss the contribution of environmental factors towards development of personality.

Answer – Personality is not only due to genetic factors. Genetics only provides blueprints for chromosomes and genes. But the actual action on the gene depends on the availability of the environment. For example, a person may have mathematical abilities, but unless the person has the opportunity to exercise his mathematical abilities, this ability cannot be refined. Similarly, a person with musical talent may not become a musician until he receives music training and contact. Therefore, inheritance only provides raw materials, and the development of this material depends only on the environment in which the person is trained. Environmental factors are broadly grouped into three headings:

i) social factors – Human beings are social animals. We were born and raised in society. Therefore, social conditions, social systems – family, school, marriage, religion, peer groups and communities, and various other social groups will affect the development of personality.

ii) cultural factors – Culture is a broad term that encompasses all customs, traditions, folks, fashion, fashion and customs. We are all part of one or another culture. Therefore, the influence of culture on personality will inevitably occur. Among the ways we welcome and greet people, the most prominent is the cultural effect. In India, when we meet someone who greets with both hands and says namaskar, when a Japanese meets someone, he will swear. When an American meets someone, he either shakes hands or kisses another person. The obvious difference in welcoming another person is simply because of learning in culture. Let me give an example of how culture affects the development of personality traits. In a classic study by Gadiner (1969), children from the United States, Thailand, Taiwan, and Germany were compared for hostility. The results showed that Thai children had the highest score of hostility and American children had the lowest score. Another study of paintings by Mexican and Anglo-American children found that Mexican children’s paintings showed more positive characteristics than British and American children, probably because of the higher value of masculinity development in Mexican culture.

iii) economic factors – In an interesting study, children in low-income groups and wealthy families were asked to estimate the size of different apertures with coin sizes of different denominations. The results showed that children in poor families were overestimated, while children from wealthy families underestimated children. Therefore, it shows that economic factors influence our attitudes and perceptions, thus affecting our personality. In addition, you may have seen that children in low-income groups tend to have low self-confidence, feelings of inferiority and shyness. Economic conditions determine the opportunity to develop a personality.

 

---

---

Consider articles –