Reference no: EM133547508

Homework: Nature versus Nurture

Getting Started

You are unique; there is no other person on Earth that is exactly like you. No one else has exactly your genetic composition and life experience. This is true even for identical twins. They may look alike and have the same genetic make-up but they have distinct personalities. Their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are not identical. So, if it's true for identical twins, it's even more the case for the rest of us. But what factors are at work to account for these differences? You're about to wade into the decades-long debate about how personality develops. Here's the key question: Is personality more about genetics or the environment or is it a combination of both?

While you're sorting out that question, you'll also be tackling the related issue of whether personality traits can change over time. For example, if you are very shy as a child, can you eventually learn to be outgoing and socially confident? Or are you destined to be shy your entire life? And if you can change core personality traits, how does that happen?

As a Christian, you must consider these weighty questions about nature/nurture from a biblical worldview, the lens through which you see reality. The Bible says we are created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). What, then, does that mean for the uniqueness of your personality? What capacity does it give for changing personality characteristics? A more basic question is why bring worldview into our discussion at all.

This homework will challenge you to think critically about all these issues and, in the process, help you to begin forming your own preliminary theory of personality development.

Upon successful completion of this homework, you will be able to:

• Analyze the nature/nurture issue regarding personality development and how it pertains to one's worldview.

Background Information

Before starting this writing homework, you will first want to view the videos and take the quiz titled "What is Your Worldview." All these resources will prove helpful in developing thoughtful responses to the questions you are asked to answer. It is suggested that you take brief notes while you watch the videos to capture important points you would like to integrate into your paper.

This homework is also a key component to your culminating philosophy of life, work, and personal growth paper for this dyad of courses, PSY 520 and PSY 525, that will be due in the final workshop in this course. A worldview and philosophy of life are very similar concepts and contribute nicely to one another.

Instructions

I. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

II. Watch the following three videos and take the quiz before attempting to write your paper:

1. Is There a Real You? (11:58 min)

a. Transcript of the "Is There a Real You?" video.

2. What's Your Worldview? (3:39 min)

a. Transcript of the "What's Your Worldview? " video.

3. Stewardship and Worldview (2:26 min)

a. Transcript of the "Stewardship and Worldview" video.

III. Take the online quiz, What's Your Worldview?

IV. Write a 3 to 4 pages paper that addresses the following questions:

1. Do you believe that one's personality is more a product of biology (genetics) or more heavily shaped by environmental influences or a combination of both? Provide support for your responses.

2. Is one's personality adaptable to change, or is it fixed at some point in the developmental process? Support your perspective from a biblical perspective.

3. What is a worldview? How would you describe your worldview as it relates to personality development?

V. Elaborate fully in your responses.