Answer the following questions in 250-300 words
What would your family say your temperament was like as a baby? Were you “easy going," difficult to keep content, or “slow to warm up?"
Which personality traits of your childhood have remained with you through adulthood?
As you think about how you became the person you are today, distinguish between traits you believe you obtained from your family versus traits you think your environment shaped. Share at least one example from your life.
We know that specific cultures value certain personality traits. Could parents alter the personality of their newborn to make them be more socially desirable as adults by influencing the development of these traits through genes or environment? How might they do this?
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According to my family, my temperament as a baby was described as "easy going." I was a generally content and calm baby, rarely throwing tantrums or demanding constant attention. This easy-going temperament made it easier for my parents to take care of me, as I was generally easily soothed and entertained.
Several personality traits of my childhood have remained with me through adulthood. One of these traits is my introversion. As a child, I was always more comfortable in quiet and solitary activities, preferring to read or engage in creative pursuits. This introversion has stayed with me into adulthood, as I still find solace and enjoyment in quiet and reflective moments.
When reflecting on how I became the person I am today, I believe that both my family and environment have played influential roles in shaping my traits. For example, my family had a strong emphasis on education and encouraged me to excel academically. This encouragement shaped my drive and determination to succeed in my studies, a trait that has persisted into adulthood.
On the other hand, my environment also played a role in shaping certain traits. For instance, growing up in a multicultural and diverse neighborhood exposed me to a wide range of perspectives and cultures. This exposure fostered my open-mindedness and curiosity about the world, which remains an important part of my identity today.
As for whether parents can alter the personality of their newborns to make them more socially desirable as adults, it is important to note that personality is a complex interplay between genetics and environment. While parents may have some influence through both these factors, it is not entirely within their control to shape their child's personality.
Parents can influence the development of certain traits through their environment. For example, they can create a loving and nurturing environment that fosters empathy and kindness in their child. They can also provide opportunities for their child to socialize and develop social skills, which can contribute to their social desirability as adults.
However, altering the development of specific traits through genes is much more challenging. Genes play a significant role in determining aspects of personality, and altering them would require advanced genetic technologies that are not yet available. Therefore, while parents can certainly influence their child's development, completely altering their personality to fit societal ideals is not feasible.