Title: Introduction to Personality | Boundless Psychology
Headings: Introduction to Personality
Introduction to Personality
Defining Personality
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Early Philosophical Roots
Approaches to Studying Personality
Genetics, the Brain, and Personality
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
The Biological Perspective on Personality
Temperament
Genetics and Personality
The Brain and Personality
Phineas Gage: A Case Study
Strengths of the Biological Perspective
Limitations of the Biological Perspective
Influences of Culture and Gender on Personality
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Culture and Personality
Gender and Personality
Approaches to Studying Personality in a Cultural Context

Content: Biological approaches focus on the role of genetics and the brain in shaping personality. Related to this, evolutionary theories explore how variation in individual personalities variance may be rooted in natural selection. Trait theorists believe personality can be conceptualized as a set of common traits, or characteristic ways of behaving, that every individual exhibits to some degree. In this view, such personality traits are different from person to person but within an individual are stable over time and place. With any of these theories, it is important to keep in mind that the culture in which we live is one of the most important environmental factors that shapes our personalities. Western ideas about personality are not necessarily applicable to other cultures, and there is evidence that the strength of personality traits varies across cultures. Genetics, the Brain, and Personality
The biological perspective on personality emphasizes the influence of the brain and genetic factors on personality. Learning Objectives
Discuss the relationship between genetics and personality development
Key Takeaways
Key Points
The biological perspective on personality focuses on why or how personality traits manifest through biology and investigates the links between personality, DNA, and processes in the brain. In psychology, ” temperament ” refers to the personality tendencies that we show at birth (and that are therefore biologically determined). After birth, environmental factors and maturation interact with a child’s temperament to shape their personality.