Personality: a Neurobiological Model of Extraversion Essay

One of the oldest debates in the history of Psychology is about Nature versus Nurture. Today, we know that both play a significant role in human’s life. Some people believe that it is genes which affects our way of life and some people believes that it is none other but our environment that greatly influences our lifestyle and some believe that both has tremendous impact on one’s way of life. Indeed in certain cases both our nature (our genes) and our environment roughly play an equal role in human life.

The biggest controversy in psychology today is whether genetics or one’s environment plays a role in the behavior of the individual. Psychologists have researched and developed different theories to explain the reason for the way humans think and behave. The behavior of individuals is either inherited or learned. In my opinion, I believe that nurture plays a big role in the individual’s behavior. Kendra Cherry states, “Nurture refers to all the environmental variables that impact who we are, including our early childhood experiences, how we were raised, our social relationships, and our surrounding culture” (1). People have become who there are because of the environment they were exposed to in their childhood years. The behavior of people is influenced be the environment that surrounds them and can changed many times through one’s lifetime. People have different personalities a person’s

The nature vs nurture issue has been a controversial argument among psychologist for decades. This argument exposes two different views. One of them emphasizes that our personality depends solely on genetics (nature). On the other hand, the second view suggests that humans “develop through experience” (Myers 2013, SG 6) (nurture).

The article was written by Sharon Begley, who is a science writer. It published on December 1, 2008, and it has been illustrated by Harry Campbell for Newsweek. We always think our personality is related to our genes, which is stable or cannot be changed. However, Begley assume we can change our personality as we grow up. It depends on environment and our parents. They both play a great role in shaping our personality.

This paper will include a breakdown of genetics and behavior alone, including the definitions of each to allow a better understanding of the joint term “behavioral genetics”. Some very important biological and chemical concepts about the body that will help to understand where genes come from will be introduced. As well as a brief example of how the environment and genes come together to influence what we do. The type of genes that influence behavior, along with the influence behavioral genetics has on the brain will also be discussed.

Evolutionary/genetic perspectives do not generally account for the biological mechanisms between genes and personality.  Theorists use biological processes in an attempt to fill in the gap between personality and genetics by inferring, theorizing and researching biological links with behavior. Anatomical approach examines functions of various structures of brain.

Many of our personality traits are developed by the interactions that we have had with others during our informative years. Our behavior is a reflection of our own personality and there is considerable evidence to show that personality can be inherited. Genetics are particular molecular structures of genes, as it is explained through science the effect that these genes have on our behavior and our body’s actions throughout our lives. Both the Endocrine System and Heredity have a large influence on human behavior. They determine our moods, irritability, and even our level of energy, even though the environment still plays a huge role. These personality genes, work by changing the structure of neurotransmitters, or receptors or emitters in the brain, which affects how our brain cells communicate with each other.

Openness is affected by brain activation in the prefrontal cortex, determining cognitive abilities. Extroversion is affected by the nucleus accumbens and amygdala. Dopamine is related to extroversion in that it impacts the sensitivity and behavior toward rewards. Serotonin, another neurotransmitter like dopamine, has great effects on facets of personality. In his study, DeYoung concluded that serotonin was mainly responsible for stability in personality and directly affected multiple areas of neuroticism in people. Researchers speculated in a study on the physiology behind introverts and extroverts that “the posterior thalamus and anterior cingulate regions that were found to be more active in extraverts may underlie these individuals’ high drive for sensory and emotional stimulation” (Johnson et al. 255).

Biological theory studies the science of the brain and genetics to identify any links between biological factors and criminal activity. Cherry (2013) states, “One of the best known biological theorists was Hans Eysenck, who linked aspects of personality to biological processes. Eysenck argued that introverts had high cortical arousal, leading them to avoid stimulation. On the other hand, Eysenck believed extroverts had low cortical arousal, causing them to seek out stimulating experiences” (p. 1). An individuals with an introvert personality often shows signs of shyness and lacks confidence, whereas an extrovert is outgoing and confident.

Is behavior learned? It is inborn? What of aggression, intelligence, and madness? There is a crucial relationship between the behavior of humans toward their own kind and the view of life they hold. Interest in behavioral genetics depends on wanting to know why people differ. According to Jack R. Vale, in Genes, Environment, and Behavior, recognition of the importance of hereditary influence on behavior represents one of the most dramatic changes in the social and behavioral sciences during the past two decades. A shift began toward the more balanced contemporary view that recognizes genetic as well as environmental influences on behavior. Behavioral genetics lies in its theory and methods, which consider both genetic and

Over the years, psychologists have been concerned with determining the relative amount contributed by genetics or environmental factors to different behavior. They also often ask the

This essay will give a description of Personality before critically analysing the biological basis of personality approach. The biological basis approach tries to account for the mechanisms between genes and personality by looking at various different brain structures whilst the biochemical approach looks at the impact of hormones and neurotransmitters. The majority of our understanding of personality from a biological perspective focuses on the three main behavioural systems; the reward system, the motivation system and the punishment system. Within this essay I will be discussing the three main theories that have come from these ideas, Eyenck’s three-factor model, Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) and Cloningers model of personality.

Human character and behaviour are not only shaped by the genes that encompass the individual’s genotype. Human character comprising mainly of personality, sexuality, morality and intelligence are the products of genetic determinism as well as external environmental factors. “Single genes can have surprisingly strong influences on particular aspects of behaviour.” (Frank., 2009)

It has two objectives: The first is to present the recently solidifying field of evolutionary brain science to a more extensive logical gathering of people. . . . The second objective of this volume is to elucidate how this new field, by concentrating on the developed data handling instruments that contain the human personality, supplies the fundamental association between evolutionary science and the unpredictable, irreducible social and social phenomena contemplated by anthropologists, sociologists, economists, and historians.with "The Adjusted Personality," we would like to give a preparatory representation of what a theoretically incorporated methodology to the behavioral and social sciences may look like. Benefactors were asked to connection evolutionary science to brain research and brain research to society a process that characteristically involves consistency crosswise over fields.the focal reason of "The Adjusted Personality" is that there is a widespread individual temperament, however that this all inclusiveness exists essential at the level of advanced mental systems, not of communicated social practices. A second introduce is that these advanced mental components are adjustments, built by common choice over evolutionary time. A third presumption made by the majority of the patrons is that the advanced structure of the human personality is adjusted to the

Some psychological models assert that a proportion of our personality is inborn and permanent (Hollander, 1971), that a psychological core at the center of our personality gives us enduring, inner characteristics. Hans Eysenck (1965) suggests that our motivation and emotion are related to biological differences in brain function and proposed that 75% of our personality is based on genetic influence and 25% on environmental influence. Research by Peter Whybrow (1999) on identical twins separated at birth examined how their different environments shaped their personalities. He found that around 40% of personality should be credited to genetics, with 60% determined by outside factors.