There are quite a few broad areas of research that researchers to believe behavioral and personality characteristics are biologically determined; this author will discuss only two of them. Hormone research points to the effects of androgen on the physical development of the fetus, positing the exposure to this hormone during prenatal stages might also affect personality in gender-specific manners. Friedman and Schustack (2016) share two kinds of evidence to support this, (a) experimental data from animal studies and (b) studies of humans who have experienced prenatal hormonal anomalies.
Furthermore, hormone research shows the connection between prenatal hormones and pubescent hormones and their effects on personality characteristics. Turner’s Syndrome is one example that may be considered as evidence for genetic or hormonal influences on personality; a result of prenatal abnormalities. Nicholson (1993) and Parsons (1980) explain that Turner’s Syndrome is diagnosed when a child is born with a single X chromosome, often identified as X0. These children have female external genitals but no ovaries, resulting in no exposure to estrogen when reaching the pubescent age. As they were not exposed to androgen during their prenatal stages, they would rename sterile and would need to receive hormone supplements to develop secondary sexual characteristics (as cited in Friedman & Schustack, 2016). Saenger’s (1996) research shows the personality characteristics of these girls are generally timid and feminine; they may also display weaker mathematical and spatial skills than their peers (as cited in Friedman & Schustack, 2016).
There is also evidence of hormones influencing personality during puberty. Testosterone is linked to aggression, dominance, and achievement (Friedman & Schustack, 2016). Additional research indicates that adolescences testosterone affects both genders differently. Udry and Talbert (1988) show that the personality of girls responds at a higher rate for each unit of additional testosterone they are exposed to than does the personality of boys. While testosterone is significant in its influence on female personality during the pubescent age, it is not surprising that follicular progesterone levels in females were also highly correlated in female responses (Udry & Talbert, 1988). Progesterone is directly related to the beginnings of female reproductive capabilities and menses.
Advances in biological saliva collection producers have paved the way for researchers to test theories related to testosterone (T) being a genuine influence on personality. Using saliva assays and self -report measures, researchers were able to determine that “test-retest reliability for T was high and comparable to short-term stability of questionnaire-based and implicitly assessed personality assessment instruments” (Sellers, Mehl, & Josephs, 2007).
References
Friedman, H. S. & Schustack, M. W. (2016). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (6th ed.). MA: Pearson
Sellers, J. G., Mehl, M. R., & Josephs, R. A. (2007). Hormones and personality: Testosterone as a marker of individual differences. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(1), 126-138.
Udry, J. R., & Talbert, L. M. (1988). Sex hormone effects on personality at puberty. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(2), 291.
Comments
Post a Comment