LASA 2: Exploring Personality Theories

Part I: Apply the personality theories to your personal life experience by answering the following questions. (Each paragraph below should be 200–400 words.)

1. The Five Factor Model of Personality: Explain where you fall on each of the five dimensions or traits in this theory. Discuss whether you feel you were “born with” this trait or if you feel this trait developed through experiences in your environment (such as family experiences or other learning experiences). Based on your experience, explain whether personality traits are primarily biological (innate) or environmental (learned) (Nature vs. Nurture). (1 paragraph)

The Five Factor’s I will be discussing are Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness to experience. Starting with Extraversion, I think that this was a trait that I learned through experience. As far back as I can remember, I was very shy and reserved and to the best of my knowledge it’s not something I am sure of where it originated. I do know that through time and experience, I became an out-going and talkative person. My mother and father pushed me to do things on my own. There was a point where I would even order my own sub at subway. Through learning the satisfaction of being independent and being able to “talk for myself” I became assertive and talkative. Secondly, speaking of Agreeableness I believe I learned this trait. My father is a quiet, reserved and cold man. Although he is full of love, he strays away from confrontation and does not seem to act upset when he has hurt a person’s feelings. Thirdly, I think that Conscientiousness came with experience. I grew up in a household that was full of everything filed perfectly and everything had a “spot.” Fourth, I believe I was born with Neuroticism. Mental illnesses have been a gene passed down through