Respondent 1
People behave the way they do because of personality that is determined by genes that are inherited from the parents. Besides the inherited characteristics, the environment has a significant role in the shaping of an individual's behavior. For instance, the behavior of a child is determined by his upbringing before age five. Also, peer pressure has a role in shaping the behavior of an individual. It is important to note that some of the traits either inherited or from the environment can be reinforced positively or negatively so as to develop the personality of the child.
Respondent 2
People look the way they are due to genetic makeup. Primarily, the genes determine the physical appearance, intelligence Quotient, blood type and the behavior since this is the foundation for mental and physical development. The second phase of development comes from the environment that surrounds an individual during the early stages of life. This is why children who are raised in a disturbing environment are more likely to have aggressive behavior or indulge in substance abuse.
Respondent 3
The behavior and physical appearance of most of the people are influenced by the genes inherited from the parent. However, exchanges from the environment can shape the behavior of an individual. For instance, children tend to learn a lot from their environment and peers in their early stages of life.
Behavioral
According to Ashton (2013), the behaviorists believe that personality is influenced by external stimuli. An individual always behave in a particular way his behavior is reinforced either positively or negatively. Despite the fact that the views of the three respondents agree with the behaviorists that people's behaviors are influenced by the environment, the attention that the actions receive may determine if the individual will repeat the actions or not.
Psychoanalytic theory
This theory explains that the personality of an individual is influenced by the interaction of various components. As noted by Ashton (2013) Freud categorized human personality into three components which include the Id, ego, and the super-ego. The I'd often act on seeking pleasure from the environment a fact that concurs with the respondent one and three that people’s behavior are influenced by the environment. However, the ego always acts to satisfy the needs of the I’d. Lastly, the super-ego is critical in enhancing moral judgment so as to ensure that an individual behaves in accordance with the societal norms.
Humanistic theory
Humanistic theorists contend that human beings have a free will to determine their behavior and they should be accountable for their actions. According to Ashton (2013) human being have an independent mind, which determines how they behave. Also, an individual’s personality is shaped by the desire to accomplish certain set goals in life. However, the theory seems s to differ with the views of the three respondents.
Cognitive
This theory suggests that human behavior is determined by reasoning.Primarily.Here, the value system, beliefs, reason and intelligence which is hereditary has an impact on the way a person behaves. To an extent, this theory tends to concur with the views of the three respondents on the issue of intelligence which is hereditary (Buss & Hawley.2011).
Biological perspective
This theory suggests that people behave the way they do as due to the characteristics inherited from their parents. This theory tends to agree with the responses from the three respondents.
Evolution theory
This theory was advanced by Charles Darwin who explained that personality differences among individuals are based on the natural selection. Due to natural selection, human being tends to adapt new behaviors so as to enhance their survival in the environment. This theory is in consonance with the views of the three respondents in that, an organism tends to pass favorable traits to their offspring so as to enhance their survival.
In my view, the cognitive theory is the most appropriate since it is on the basis of rationality that an individual can make a judgment that is consistent with the societal norms.
References
Ashton, M. (2013). Individual differences and personality. New York: Academic Press.
Buss, D.M., and Hawley, P. (2011).The evolution of personality and individual differences. London: Oxford University Press.
