Why do we have personalities?

Question

Is it genetic, hereditory, natural, learned, or just part of our brain chemistry? What makes us who we are?

Answer 1

Personalities are a learned trait we have. There are roughly 16 different personality types (at least here in the USA), all of which can be looked into. I'm talking about major traits one has, not subtle little unique details. Personality is defined by environment... which is including where you physically come from... (genetic, which is also influenced by environment).

When you're born you are born with two fears, the fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises - probably because as a baby those are the two things you really only need to worry about. Your parents should take care of the rest until you learn for yourself. Throughout your environmental experience you learn new things, "ow.. fire is hot, I shouldn't stick my hand in it".... "I need to be careful with scissors"... and these learnings begin to apply to other things... not just scissors, anything sharp. You see my POINT. Some experiences are more intense than other people experience, so the effect makes a bigger impression on your overall beliefs/ideas and personality. This is the learning process.

SO why if a person's environment is seemingly endless in possibilities are there roughly 16 major personality types?

The answer is because human beings want to share connections with other human beings. We want to have friends, share a common ground... we want that rapport even at the unconscious level. So we begin to generalize situations, ideas, and things... and then compare it to others... we then adapt traits of those around us... you've probably noticed that being around friends and family, you can pick up some of the things they do... like their laugh, or the way they say something, etc... We WANT to be similar... so we aren't 'alone' in the world. In other words, we have "personalities" so we can function together societally as a group... because without the group, there would be no one to even observe the 'personality'... you would simply be 'you'. And this is also why we can accurately generalize personalities into about 16 different types. For a list of the personality types, look into Myers Brigg/Jung. They are given names like ENTJ, INTJ INFJ etc. If you want to prove it to yourself, take the OFFICIAL test.. (not some lame online version) and you will get results back that explain you in ways you never thought of before... yet it resonates with you perfectly because of your own personal experience in society.

Answer 2

This is very phylosophical. Several genes have been shown to relate to certain traits of personality, but they need the environment of the person to be expressed.

going into more detail in your question, our genes are inherited from the parents, while their mix is unique in each individual. On top of that, the individual´s personal experience will affect the phenotype as well as the genes. Depending on which particular trait of personality you are analysing, the genetic factor may be bigger or smaller, as compared to the "environmental" factor.

while the genetic factor may be rather straightforward (though often hard to understand HOW), the environmental factors can be broken down into several great influences in ones life during the development of personality. I.e: home environment, school / work, circle of friends, nutrition and of course, each persons unique experiences. Furthermore, genes that influence things like memory or inteligence, for example, may have an indirect effect on how and how much each of the above mentioned factors will contribute to the final personality of the individual.

This is just to show the enormous space for discussion that can be held on this subject.

Our brain chemistry definatelly plays a role, and it can be influenced by each one of those factors, probably, as our genes are programmed to react to stimuli. Our nurishment, in particular, can have a very direct effect on body (and brain) chemistry.

Perhaps the most important question: is our brain and body chemistry at any given time, ultimatelly what defines us and our personalities at that moment?? Or is there something more "spiritual", so to say? That is a question which is still impossible to answer, though some extremists might claim otherwise.

My personal opinion is that yes, our brain chemistry is what ultimatelly defines our personalities, BUT that this does not exclude the possibility of something "spiritual" being there as well, as I think that this "something" may also come to be explained or described in chemical and physical terms in the future. (think: other dimentions and their chemical compositions!)

This is a very large topic. A great book that touches it is "Nature Via Nurture" by Matt Ridley, if i´m not mistaken. I recomend it as a great read for anyone.

cheers

EDIT -> I have just noticed your question might have a completelly different answer to it. In genetics, when we ask "Why does this species have this trait?" we often mean: "What were the environmental pressures that caused this species to evolve these traints?"
If that is what you meant, well, I could write a whole new endlessly large topic on it, but let´s just say that having a personality, helped our ancestors to survive somehow. =)

Answer 3

Your score in this personality attempt become sixty 9% Others see you as an engaging, exceedingly volatile, truly impulsive personality; a organic lead, who's quick to make judgements, although no longer continually the right ones. They see you as ambitious and adventuresome, someone who will attempt something once; someone who takes opportunities and enjoys an experience. They appreciate being on your corporation as a results of buzz you radiate. very interesting quiz misty, keep it up, heehee;)

Answer 4

I guess it depends on what you believe. Some might say astrology has a large hand in it (how the stars are aligned when you are born, your star sign...they've designated specific personality traits for each star sign). The environment you are raised in, the people around you. Your peers I think have a large hand in it, who you are friends with. Home environment. If you were encouraged to be outspoken in your home, then you would probably be more prone to speak your mind all in life. If it was discouraged, then you'd probably be real timid.

Answer 5

Ever see Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams (based on Isaac Asimov's story)? In it, robot manufacturers provide "personality" as an option the purchaser can either select or not.

I'm thinking your question could be reinterpreted as "Why do some people have more 'personality' than others"? which is tied into "What is personality?" How is it related to sense of humour? Have you ever known anyone with no (or very little) personality?

My first thought is that human personality is like clothing or (in animals) colouration, it is useful to attract a mate. Which leads into "How can one improve one's personality?"

Answer 6

There is a whole segment of study on this subject, with important concepts developed by Jung, Maslow, Rogers, Skinner, etc. Just put in a search with the term "Personality Theory" and you'll get a plethora of information.

The core construct of Personality Theory is the idea that we all have a "Self" from which to build a personality...and it goes on from there with different schools of thought.
:-)

Answer 7

we have diff persona because each of us go through diff experiences, therefore we become diff people. good bad eh we're everywhere. example. an orphan boy abandoned by his parents & grows up in a bad environment would most likely become a criminal. he ain't bad but what he does is bad & i guess our actions speaks for ourselves. a rich girl growing up in a happy family would MOST likely be a conceited, shallow female. she's not a negative person. let's say she's just been affected by the environment she lives in. that's just part of how we are. what revolves around us changes our actions.

Answer 8

I have absolutley no idea but just wanted to let you know i think that is an awesome question. I'll keep thinking about it: ) I think your born with core personality traits cos when twins are born they definately have their own personalities before they interact with much of what's around them. but no idea where these traits come from or why we have them

Answer 9

You make who you are, and your personality is natural it's like a characteristic, you should have a positive personality, hope my answer could help you.

Answer 10

Nature vs. Nurture. The two combined makes us who we are.