Innate Good

Innate Goodness and Theories

Introduction

An individual’s personality is essential to the study of psychology. Psychologists use different concepts to enlighten and understand the behavioral ad mental processes of human beings which differ from individual to individual (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014). There are several theories that have been used to comprehend individuals and their behaviors and personality development for many years. The notion of innate goodness is significant in most of the personality concepts and theories such as trait theories, biological theories, humanistic and behavioral theories (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014).. Human nature and individual behaviors play an important role in innate goodness of human beings (Briley & Tucker-Drob, 2014).

Trait theories

According to Funder (1991), trait theory of personality intends to promote the differences between individuals. Allport’s trait theory categorized characteristics in three different classifications, cardinal traits, central traits and secondary traits. In trait theory individuals are thought to be born with innate goodness but environmental factors can impact their behaviors (Dye, Mills, & Weatherbee, 2005). According to Eysenck individuals are biosocial creatures whose behaviors are strong-minded equally by biological factors such as hunger, thirst etc. (Matthews & Gilliland, 1999). Several studies of identical and fraternal twins suggest that heredity plays a key role in accounting for dissimilarities between people (Matthews & Gilliland, 1999). Trait theories have the foundation that innate goodness is the nature that drives the empathetic, accountable and pro-social behaviors making innate goodness an essential part of trait theories (Dye, Mills, & Weatherbee, 2005).

Biological theories

Biological theories propose that heredities are accountable for an individual’s persona; also research on genetics proposes that there is a connection between hereditary and nature traits. Biological...