Psy 202 Paper

The Past is Still Happening

Isaac Green

PSY 202

Larry Sexton

October 2, 2011

I. What was your family like?

A. Middle child of three children

B. Parents never married

II. What things do you remember about your childhood?

A. Always was athletic

B. Remembered my grandmother rules

C. Remembered good times

III. What were your educational experiences?

A. High School

B. Junior College

C. University

IV. Who were the important people in your life?

A. Mother

B. Grandmother

C. Wife

The Past is Still Happening

Are personalities acquired or learned from life experiences, or are personalities present in our human spirit at birth? I believe that personalities are learned from life experiences and from the nurturing that is received throughout our daily lives, from birth throughout adulthood, until death. Our mental ability is a function of social factors during our development from various areas such as our home and school environment to receiving a proper diet. These factors influence individuals and the development of their personality. Philosophers and scientist have long been debating and researching the foundation of behaviors and personalities throughout history. Genetics or learned? Nature versus Nurture? Scientists continue to debate whether we behave as we do because of genetic predisposition or because we were taught or influenced to do so.

I believe that by the time children are old enough to begin attending school, they have already acquired life experiences from their family environment. The siblings in the household, the beliefs and thoughts conveyed from the elders of the family, either by words or by the simplest of reactions to words or pictures, can influence a child’s thoughts, opinions, and behavior towards the simplest aspects of everyday life.

I believe that our brains are provided...