WHAT IS PERSONALITY? A Sociologists Perspective Unit 2 BASIC ORGANIZATION The basic organization of people that determines their uniqueness with
themselves, others and their environment Sum total of behaviors, attitudes, values and beliefs of an individual NATURE VS. NURTURE Heredity (nature) refers to genetics (what is passed down from parent to child) Provides us with certain basic needs and
capacities Biological drives/instincts Sets limitations NATURE VS. NURTURE Environment (nurture): physical, cultural, and social surroundings Responsible for the acquired/learned aspects of personality
Develops as we interact with surroundings Determined by the social relationships or learning NATURE VS. NURTURE Heredity sets boundaries, culture establishes alternatives Without environment we are only human physically: those not raised in social environment acquire no
reasoning, manners, ability to move like humans EFFECT OF CULTURE AND SOCIETY ON PERSONALITY Physical Appearance 1. Obvious influence of heredity 2. Culture may alter some physical characteristics Temperament 1. Emotional disposition present at birth (cool
vs. nervous, etc.) 2. Environment may teach girls to scream at rats and boys to be calm EFFECT OF CULTURE AND SOCIETY ON PERSONALITY Abilities/Aptitude 1. Power to carry out behavior; abilities acquired from cultural skills 2. Aptitude inherited
Interests 1. Enjoy knowing/feeling/doing 2. Dependent on cultural alternatives Beliefs 1. Accept as true values, attitudes, preferences, knowledge, prejudices 2. Learned, culturally derived CULTURAL PERSONALITY TYPE Produce representative type for
society 1.Not everyone the same, but enough similar to recognize as part of same group Difficult to establish in complex society, but help to understand BIRTH ORDER ACTIVITY One method sociologists use to explain and categorize personality is BIRTH ORDER
Oldest child, second child, youngest child (if more than two) and only child all tend to have particular characteristics Distribute paper to each student On your paper summarize the advantages and the disadvantages of your birth order position BIRTH ORDER ACTIVITY CONTINUED.. Find others that are your same birth
order. Make a group with the other people of your same birth order position. Quickly do a brief presentation on why your birth position is the best! BIRTH ORDER QUICK WRITE Review the Birth Order Theory Explained Handout. Do you fit the characteristics of your position? Why/why not?
BIRTH ORDER THEORY EXPLAINED On l y Ch i ld: A n onl y c hi l d te nds to re c ei v e the ful l a tte nti on o f bo th pare nts. The y c a n be ov er-protec ted, but they c a n al so be spoi l ed. Thi s c ause s the chi l d to l i ke bei ng the c e nte r of attenti on, prefe r adul t c ompa ny , a nd ha v e di ffic ul ty sha ri ng wi th others. Ol de st C h il d: The e l de st c hi l d i n a fa mi l y goe s fro m bei ng an o nl y c hi l d to the ol de st chi l d. Tha t re qui re s the chi l d to l e arn how to sha re. E x pe c tati ons are usua l l y ve ry hi gh, w hi c h i nc l udes the nee d fo r the c hi l d to se t a n exa mpl e for other si bl i ngs. Thi s c ause s the c hi l d to trend tow ard authori tar i an and stri c t approa ches . They fee l po we rful and ofte n re qui re enc oura geme nt to be hel pful .
You n ge st C hi l d: T he y oungest c hi l d in a fam il y often see s ev e ry si bl i ng as a potenti al m other and fa ther. J ust a bout e v ery one te l l s them w hat to do a nd w he n to do i t. Thei r ro le i s nev e r remo v ed. Thi s c ause s the chi l d to wa nt to gro w up more qui c kly a nd m ake bi g pl ans that ma y nev er co me true. Middl e Ch il d: Bec a use the ol de st re ce i v es re spo nsi bi l i ty a nd the y ounge st c an be spoi l e d, chi l dren i n the m i ddl e ca n feel l i ke the y do n t rec ei ve any attenti on a t a l l . They fi ght fo r si gni fic a nce and pri v i l ege . T hi s c ause s the chi l d to de ve l op an atti tude that i s v ery bl a c k-and-whi te . They tend to be e ve n-te mpe red and fi ght to protec t the soc i a l j us ti c e of others, but ca n a l so fee l v er y l one l y.
BIRTH ORDER THEORY EXPLAINED Twins: One twin is usually stronger than the other twin. One may be more active. Some families may see the older twin as being the oldest child. Because they are born together, there isnt the same transition issues from an only child, but there can also be some identity problems. One twin tends to become the leader and the other is the follower. Ghost Child: Some children are born into families where a first child may have died before they were born. This causes parents, especially mothers, to become over-protective of all their children, but especially their oldest. Children in this position often become rebellious or may attempt to exploit
their parents feelings for personal gain. Adopted Child: Many adopted children receive the same levels of attention that an only child receives. Parents who adopt tend to try to compensate the child for the loss of their biological parents. This causes the child to become demanding, lack in self-confidence, and even resent their family over time.
