Introdyction to psycological theories and issues Essay

Introdyction to psycological theories and issues - Essay Example According to this theory, the individual inherits all his behaviours due to the complex interaction of genes. Most of his characters and behaviours remain constant throughout his life, as outside environments do not affect his individuality in any way. His individuality is predetermined. From this standpoint, types and characteristics measured with personality are constant and even if we sharpen our wits, types and temperaments to some extent successfully, we can never change them. We do as our genes dictate. As Darwin’s theory was applied to this psychological theory, it also implies that our personality connects with the secondary theory of natural selection for survival of the fittest. Distinct personality and individual differences differentiate a person from the commonalities. One of the main personality theories, Nurture theory, connects with the Operant Conditioning of Thorndyke who talks about conditioning of man, dog or any other animal through conditioning or nurture. Every situation that is connected with the nurturing of a child till it grows up and even later as an adult produces a positive or negative reinforcement of the behaviour in the individual. Nurture theory says that every behaviour depends upon the atmosphere, circumstances, education, bringing up of a child, teachers, friends, well-wishers, neighbours, community, society, and the results of a person’s behaviour are all responsible for his personality. It argues that nature or genetics, or heredity have nothing to do with the personality of the individual. Here life becomes a saga of actions and reactions. Skinner applied this theory on the experiments like training an animal, through rewarding or punishing and assessing how the animal gets used to a certain behaviour, showing absolutely no signs of his hereditary behaviour, but adapting himself to an entirely new behaviour, a result of the present nurture. There is no doubt that nurture through education, training and