Taylor Staley PSY-1010-024 Signature Assignment April 16, 2014 Personality is an individuals characteristic style of behaving, thinking and

feeling (Introducing Psychology, pg. 346). Each individuals personality is unique. There may be commonalities between individuals personalities, but there is also going to be differences. There is ongoing research by psychologists who wonder whether personality is influenced through nature or nurture. Nature being defined as derived from genetics, and nurture being defined as ones environment or experiences (Nature Nurture in Psychology). Studies have found that nature and nurture influence and develop ones personality 50/50(Ppt. 11/ slide 21). Personality is a trait that develops over a lifetime meaning it is an ever-developing process. The environment an individual is in can affect the way they act, and the personality they display. For instance, if you are going on a date with someone for the first time, you are more than likely to act in a way that doesnt express your true self. It isnt until later into the dating, that the couple gets to know each others true personality through becoming comfortable with each other. There are two explanations for personality differences among individuals. Prior events and anticipated events can shape an individuals personality for the upcoming events (pg. 347). Personality is a difficult trait to measure in individuals. Two measures that are used for personality type are personality inventories and projective techniques. A personality inventory technique that is often used is called a self-report. A self-report is a questionnaire, which asks the subjects to rate the extent to which they believe their behaviors match up to the statements on the questionnaire. The Minnesota Multiphasic

Personality Inventory is a popular questionnaire used to assess personality and psychological problems. This questionnaire consists of 500 statements that the subject has to rate the extent to which they agree, disagree, or neither. The MMPI-2 test can detect signs of mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, etc. (pg. 347). The second way to measure an individuals personality type is to use projective techniques. A projective technique is when a stimulus is used to produce a response from an individual, which reveals aspects of an individuals personality type. The most popular projective technique is the Rorschach Inkblot Test. In this test, inkblots are presented to an individual and the way they interpret the inkblots reveals an individuals personality type. For example, if two different subjects were to be given the same picture of inkblots, the different ways the inkblots are interpreted are supposedly correlated with personality type. Another test, called the Thematic Apperception Tests (TAT), is a test where an individual is given a picture to interpret and examine, and based on the individuals interpretation of the picture, the examiner gives a possible explanation about that individuals motives, concerns, and views of the world (pg. 348). It is highly agreed there are Five Dimensions of Personality; these include: conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience, and extraversion (pg. 351). Many psychologists believe these five categories of personality are fitting to describe all personality types. When a person is to describe himself, or another person is describing this individual, the description almost always fits in one of the five categories of personality (pg. 351). The five categories of personality include individuals that fit in that category and those individuals that are completely opposite of that category. The first category of personality is conscientiousness. For example, some people are very

conscientious in ways that they are organized, careful, and self-disciplined, while others are not as conscientious by being disorganized, or careless. Agreeableness is the second category of personality; some individuals may be agreeable, trusting, helpful, and easy to work with. Others may have a personality type of being suspicious, and unhelpful and therefore being the opposite of the agreeable personality category. Individuals who have a neurotic personality type come off as being anxious, worried, and moody. Individuals who display the opposite of neuroticism seem to be more relaxed and self-satisfied. The fourth category of the Big Five Model is a personality type that is open to new experiences. People who are open to new experiences dont mind having variety, and display creativity. While individuals who prefer routine tend to be less open to new experiences. An observable personality difference that many people notice during first impression is whether an individual is an extravert or an introvert. Extraverted individuals display being social, and seeking stimuli, such as social interaction. Whereas introverts seek to be in more isolated situation, experience less stimulation, and social encounters (Table 11.1, pg. 351) Personality traits remain pretty constant throughout ones lifetime, according to research from the Big Five. One exception for personality changing across ones lifetime is when one experiences a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries can change a persons personality. Before the accident, the individual could display a kind, caring, and nurturing personality. But, after the accident and with damage to different parts of the brain, this could cause an individual to be more agitated, aggressive, or become impulsive (The Dark Side of Personality Change).

Nurture, the environment an individual is raised in, plays a role in the development of personality. The percentage of how much nurture affects personality compared to nature is 50/50. Identical twins are more likely to have similar personalities, than fraternal twins because identical twins share nearly all the same genes, while fraternal twins only share half of their genes (pg. 353). Identical twins who are raised in the same environment show more similarities than those raised in different home or school environments. Through this information, it is obvious that nature, as well as nature affects an individuals personality. I would have explained myself as I was growing up, up until I met my boyfriend as being a heavily introverted person. I kept to myself, and was very quiet at school. I believe a reason for why I was an introvert as a child was because of the way I was raised. I was raised in an environment where it wasnt acceptable to express emotion, especially negative emotion such as sadness or anger. Because I didnt feel I was able to express myself whenever I felt any emotion, I kept to myself most of the time. Introverts are defined, as a person who seek isolation, and keep quiet and that defined me throughout my childhood years. When I met my boyfriend 2 years ago, I noticed how much my personality had changed. It wasnt because I was changing my personality for him to accept me, he accepted me regardless. I finally felt comfortable with someone that I was able to express my feelings and finally felt like I had a voice. Ever since I felt like I was given the privilege to express my feelings, have a voice, and be listened to, I have turned more and more into an extrovert. Most people dont believe me when I tell them that I used to be shy and very quiet growing up, because they see me now and cant imagine me being

anything like an introvert. I still have some introvert personality behaviors, but much less introverted behaviors than I had as a child. The only times I find myself displaying introvert behaviors is if I am in an uncomfortable situation, but other than that I am very much an extrovert. I am social, friendly, and seek social interactions. I think it is important to have a balance between having an introvert and extrovert personality. Dr. Chris Boyce said, personalities can and do change over time these personality changes are strongly related to changes in our wellbeing. (Personalities Can Indeed Change Over Time). I do agree with Dr. Boyce, the personality changes I have experienced throughout life have lead me to be more self-satisfied with who I am and who I have become.

Works Cited

Cromer, Janet. "After Brain Injury: The Dark Side of Personality Change Part I." Health, Help, Happiness. Psychology Today, 09 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.<http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/professor-cromer-learnsread/201203/after-brain-injury-the-dark-side-personality-change-part-i>.

McLeod, Saul. "Nature vs. Nurture in Psychology." Nature Nurture in Psychology. Simply Psychology, 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. <http://www.simplypsychology.org/naturevsnurture.html>.

Nauert, Rick. Personalities Can Indeed Change Over Time. Psych Central News, 07 Mar. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. <http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/03/07/personalities-can-indeed-change-overtime/35663.html>.

Schacter, Daniel L., Daniel Todd. Gilbert, and Daniel M. Wegner. "Ch. 11 - Personality." Introducing Psychology. New York, NY: Worth, 2013. 345-55. Print.