PD 12: The Science of Personality Development

Personality Development

- One of the most critical aspects of human development

- Complex processes that begins in our childhood and affects every aspect of our lives

- It is the process by which we develop our unique personality

Biological, Psychological, and Social

- Processes that form our values, attitudes, beliefs, thinking styles and behaviors

- They begin at birth, when we are first exposed to stimuli from our environment

DNA

- Is the code by which genes are expressed and cells differentiate into specific tissues and organ systems within our bodes

Genes

- Contain instructions for the construction of proteins which are chemical building blocks that form biochemical substances such as nerves, muscles, blood vessels or skin

Biochemical Substances

- Influences our psychological behavior and determine the level of hormones, neurotransmitters, and other chemicals released into our bloodstream

Socialization

- Refers to the process by which we learn about ourselves within a group or culture

1.) Cultural Influences

2.) Ability to Communicate and Interact with Others

3.) How we feel when we communicate and interact with others

4.) The structure of family relationships

5.) Our ability to identify and define ourselves in relation to other people

Categories of Socialization

Nature

- The influence of our inherited characteristics on our personality or unique traits, physical growth, intellectual growth, and social interactions that make up who you are as a person

Nurture

- Our personalities are shaped by all of the interactions we have with people, things, and situations

- We learn from experiences, whether positive or negative

Habituation

- Process of learning to cope with stress and anxiety by developing positive coping strategies

- Can be used to encourage healthy living, positive behavior and to develop more positive self-esteem

Self Identification

- Reflection

- Requires us to look at our past and present situations, reflect on them, identify positive and negative patterns, and then take part in interventions designed to change negative behaviors

Self-Evaluation

- Easily distinguish between the differences between our positive and negative traits

- Reflecting on how we behave in different situations or what people think about us

Social Cues

- Important to help us adjust our behaviors based on the reactions we receive from others

Self-Esteem Building

- Giving ourselves positive feedback and identifying the ways in which we have performed well

Environmental Stimulation

- Learning to engage with our surroundings and facing new challenges

- Open to new experiences, which may lead to positive growth

Social Skills Learning

- Adolescents are difficult to develop social skills with due to their cognitive development stages, but they are very important in the development of healthy self esteem and relationships

1. Habituation

2. Self Identification

3. Self Evaluation

4. Social Cues

5. Self Esteem Building

6. Environmental Stimulation

7. Social Skills Learning

Strategies for Enhancing Personality Development

David A. Kolb

- American educational theorist whose interests and publications focus on experiential learning, the individual and social change, career development, and executive and professional education

1. Concrete Experience

2. Reflective Organization

3. Abstract Conceptualization

4. Active Experimentation

4 Stages of Learning Cycle

Concrete Experience

- Doing or having experience

Ex: Roleplay, Field Work, Service Activity

Reflective Observation

- Renewing and reflecting on the experience

Ex: Journaling, Group Discussion

Abstract Conceptualization

- Learning from the experience by forming theories or principles

Active Experimentation

- Applying the new learning to the world

Genetics

- Heredity

- Our biological makeup

- Baseline of development