Psychology

Are We Born With Our Personality? What Twin Studies Say

One of the big questions in psychology is whether our personality is something we’re born with or something shaped by our environment.

• One of the best ways to investigate this is through twin studies

  
  

SO HOW DO WE USE TWIN STUDIES?

By comparing identical twins (who share all their DNA) with fraternal twins (who share about half), researchers can estimate how much of our personality is influenced by genetics.

WHAT DO THEY TELL US?

To all the A-level psychology students reading this, I am sure you are all familiar with Sigmund Freud's psychodynamic approach

Here is a summary of Freud's psychodynamic theory:

• The Mind's Structure: Divided into three parts:

• Id – pleasure-seeking part (present from birth).

• Ego – the rational part that mediates between the id and reality.

• Superego – the moral conscience, representing the moral standards of the child's same sex parents

Hi guys, for those curious about the complexity of human interaction, personal development, and everything in between… I’m excited to introduce a new season all about personality!

Let's start with the basics: What Is Personality?

Is it what guides our decisions? What fuels our passion and shapes our goals?

Is it the core of who we are... or is it all of the above?

According to the American Psychological Association, personality is the "enduring characteristics and behavior that comprise a person’s unique adjustment to life, including major traits, interests, drives, values, self-concept, abilities, and emotional patterns"

As we dive deeper into various researchs on personlality, it is important to look out for key psychologists in this topic:

The British Pscyhological Society's Research Digest is an excellent place to explore the most up to date psychological research!

WHY SHOULD I VISIT THE RESEARCH DIGEST?

There are SO many different interesting topics, meaning there are SO many new fun facts you can learn!

One recent journal article from the research digest caught my eye: HOW TO TELL A JOKE TO AN APE?

Did you know that like how babies playfully tease adults they know well, that great apes also engage in playful teasing behaviour such as Hiding, then OFFERING then Withdrawing objects?

What might this suggest?