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Biological Theory

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Can you explain the:

1- School of Thought on Biological Theory (and what factors influence personality development in this theory)

2 - Also, the Principles of Biological heory

3 - Time frame

4- Influences (historic happenings, other ideas, etc.)

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Solution Summary

This solution explain a Biological Theory on several dimensions e.g. factors that influence personality development, principles, time frame and historical influences. Supplemented with two articles on Biological and trait theory of personality.

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Let's take a closer look through research, discussion and links for further research. I also attached two extra resources.

RESPONSE:

Can you explain the:

1- School of Thought on Biological Theory (and what factors influence personality development in this theory)

The factors that influence personality development are such things as traits, temperament, evolutionary process, and genes, to name a few.

According to this theory, we are biological creatures. We exist because of our genetics, the food we've eaten, the air we breathe; we think because of the neurons, which fire, in our brains. Biology is everything! Is it possible, then, that variations in our biology may cause the personality differences we observe in behavior? Temperament is that aspect of our personalities that is genetically based, inborn, there from birth or even before, for ex maple. Some trait theorists also think that character traits are innate and genetically determined. Of all the perspectives on personality, chances are that this perspective will undergo the greatest amount of change and development in the next 100 years. The topics presented here in this lecture are, really, in their childhood - the modern attempt to link personality to biology has been a recent effort. However, it is important to note that the biological model does not represent a cohesive, theoretical approach (compared, say, to the psychoanalytic perspective), but rather is a collection of efforts looking for links between personality and biology, and seeking out the origins of human personality and behavior in evolutionary theory and evidence. The biological approach is most closely linked to the dispositional perspective since both attempt to identify underlying, consistent individual differences.

The main areas about how genes (biology/genetics, temperament, traits) impact personality are:

· The relationship between genetics and personality
· The evolutionary explanations and evidence for the origins of personality
· Neuropsychology and personality
· Other biological functions and processes which influence human psychology and personality source: URL: http://wilderdom.com/personality/L7-0IntroductionBiologicalEvolutionaryPerspectives.html).

Also, many personality researchers disagree about exactly what constitutes personality. Nor do they agree on what should be studied but all agree in the first part of the above definition, that personality and resulting behavior patterns are rather consistent and enduring across time and situations in individuals. Personality researchers then look for individual differences in behavior patterns. Most personality psychologists believe personality patterns were developed early in life and are relatively enduring. We of course can change our patterns but research reveals that overall our behavior remains relatively consistent over time (http://inst.santafe.cc.fl.us/~mwehr/PersonalityandPersonalGrowth.htm).

As discussed above, other aspects of human development, such as temperament and extroversion and introversion have also been shown to have strong biological links. One theorist, Hans Eysenck (see more below) believed that much of our personality was determined by biology, and although controversial at times, he continues to be one of the most discussed biological theorist in terms of personality development (http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/biology.html).

Also see Biological bases of behavior (lecture notes by Edward Kardas)(http://peace.saumag.edu/faculty/Kardas/Courses/GPWeiten/Chapter3Lectures.html).

2. The Principles of Biological theory -

There are three general principles and assumptions to the biological perspective:

1. Many personality characteristics are genetically determined
2. Behavioural tendencies derive from our evolutionary history
3. Human behavior produced is by a complex biological system (e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters) (source: URL: http://wilderdom.com/personality/L7-0IntroductionBiologicalEvolutionaryPerspectives.html).

Like all theories of human behavior and personality, the various biological and evolutionary perspectives of personality have strengths and weaknesses. The strengths include:

· Bridges biology and psychology
· Explains individual differences which are not easily accounted for by environmental explanations
· Twin and adoption study research
· Laboratory brain study research
· Animal study research
· Supported by evolutionary theory
· Recognize biological limitations on therapeutic efforts
· Pharmacological intervention
· Much potential for the future (http://wilderdom.com/personality/L7-5CritiqueBiologicalEvolutionaryPerspectives.html).

Conversely, the Biological Perspectives also have some weaknesses, such as:

· Still limited methods for testing ...

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