Two Different Theories of Personality

Many different theories exist as to why individuals have different personalities. A great deal of research and study has been done in this area, and yet no definitive conclusions have been drawn. We've come a long way since Freud's theory of personality development, which focused on drives and battling parts of the psyche. Nowadays, two theories -- one concerning a person's biology and the other concerning the environment -- are considered when determining how salient characteristics are molded.

Genetic

• One theory of personality development states that this aspect of the self is largely genetic, set in motion by predetermined factors such as the biological elements passed on by each parent. Although certain aspects of personality can be enhanced or mitigated through the environment, the basic structure never changes. If a person is born outgoing, for instance, he will continue to demonstrate traits associated with that personality type, despite being placed in environments where the majority of people are introverted, or where introversion is valued.

Environment

• Another theory of personality development posits that a person's environment has tremendous influence in which innate traits express themselves, if at all. For instance, if a person is born with aggressive tendencies and raised in an aggressive household, she may grow up to be an adult with anger management issues. On the other hand, if this same individual was raised in an environment that teaches calmness and compromise, it may go a long way in making her a well-adjusted adult. Those who favor this theory feel that the right environment can overcome negative aspects of certain personality characteristics.

Nature vs. Nuture

• The two personality theories discussed above are often discussed in conjunction, as an argument entitled "Nature vs. Nurture." Nature refers to a person's development being wholly dependent upon biological and genetic factors, while nurture places more importance on how the environment shapes these factors. Nature purists feel that a person's biology is his destiny, ultimately coloring whatever experiences he has in life: Positive and negative life outcomes can easily be identified in early childhood based on personality traits. Nurture purists argue that individuals are really "blank slates," whose personalities are completely formed by outside experiences, with little or no interference from genetic factors.

Combination

• It is entirely possible to believe both of these theories at the same time. Many people feel that we are born with certain personality characteristics that can lie dormant until we find the right environment to express them. Others feel that individuals adapt their personalities to suit varying environments, thus increasing their odds of survival.