Acquisition and Development of Behavioral Traits There are two schools of thought on our behavioral disposition.

The nature theory of human behavior posits that our behavioral traits are inherited from the genes of one of the members in the family tree of our ancestor. Nature endows us with inborn abilities and traits. For example a smart person could have inherited from the smart gene of his grandfather. In short the nature scientists believe that our behavior is a function of our genes. The nurture theory believes that our traits are learned from the experiences of the environmental factors of our upbringing. For example one is a team player probably because one enjoys the company of ones friends. The past sweet experiences make one likes people and companionship. On the other hand, one may have some bitter experiences, for example being bullied and betrayed in ones social circle. The past bitter experiences make one aloof and detached. Thus behavior is also a function of our environment.

The nurture theory of human behavior posits that our trait is a function of our experiences in our environment.
1.

Positive traits are learned from our pleasurable past. Positive traits

Pleasurable experience

Below are examples of scenario how our traits are acquired. Scenario 1.1 Developing process of our positive traits from pleasurable past as a child A stimulus in the environment for example, someone turns on the television set showing a cartoon. The show catches the attention of a child. The child wants to watch the cartoon. The child moves toward the television set. The child wants to learn something from the cartoon, the child learns something from the cartoon, the child is happy. Environment Stimulus Desire Energy Need

Positive Trait

Pleasurable experience

Goal Accomplishment

Environment Someone turns on the television showing a cartoon Stimulus The show catches the attention of the child

Desire The child wants to watch the cartoon Energy The child rushes toward the television set Need The child wants to learn something from the cartoon Goal accomplishment -The child learns something from the cartoon The child is happy Pleasurable experience Positive Trait (Motivated, trainable) Scenario 1.2 Reinforcing our positive traits from our pleasurable past as an adult Assuming the young child grows up and become a worker. His name is Ali. The boss communicates that one of his senior worker is about to retired in a year time - The message catches Ali attention - The boss communicates that one of his men will fill the position of a senior staff - Ali wants the promotion Ali needs the promotion to marry his sweetheart - Ali works very hard and perform extremely well Ali gets the promotion Ali is happy and feels great about his new status, Ali learns hard work is rewarded. Environment Stimulus Expectation Desire Need Energy

Positive Traits

Pleasurable experience

Goal Accomplishment

Environment the boss communicates that one of his senior worker is about to retired in a year time. Stimulus - the message catches Ali attention Expectation -The boss communicates that one of his men will fill his position Desire Ali wants the promotion Need Ali needs money to marry his childhood sweetheart Energy Ali works very hard and perform extremely well Expectation Ali expects to be promoted Goal accomplishment - Ali gets the promotion soon after the senior worker retired Pleasurable experience - Ali is elated and feels great with his new status Positive Traits Motivated, hardworking, commitment, trusting, chase after goals and results. (Notice that the trait motivated is reinforced)

2. Negative traits can be developed from our pleasurable past Pleasurable experience Negative traits

Scenario 2 Developing our negative traits from pleasurable experience as a child Environment Stimulus Inner state Energy

High energy

barrier

Pleasurable Experiences

Goal Accomplishment

Removal of barrier

Reinforcement

Pleasurable experience Negative Trait

Environment Mother visits a relative with her child Stimulus An attractive toy attracts the child Inner state The child desire to play with the child Energy - The child moves toward the toy Goal accomplishment the child plays the toy Pleasurable experience -The child enjoys playing Barrier to pleasurable experience - Relatives child takes the toy away Enhanced Inner state The child has a strong desire to have the toy High energy arousal the child beats the relatives child and snatches away the toy Removal of Barrier the child continues to play the toy Reinforcement of Goal accomplishment -The child gets the toy and take it home Pleasurable experience -The child is happy Negative Traits -The child learn to be aggressive, fight, selfish, self-centered, greedy, and disrespect for others things

3... Positive traits can be learned from our painful experiences

Painful experience

Positive traits

Scenario 3: Developing Positive Traits from painful experience as a child

Environment

Stimulus

Inner State

Energy

Barrier

Enhanced Inner State

High energy level

Goal Accomplishment

Painful Experiences

Positive Traits

Environment -Someone put a box of matches on the table Stimulus The box catches the attention of a child Inner state The child wants to play with the matches Energy The child rushes to the table Barrier The childs brother takes the matches away and tells him it is dangerous Enhanced inner state: The child desires very much to play with matches High Energy The child snatches the matches from his brother Goal Accomplishment The child plays with the matches Painful experiences the child burns his fingers Positive Trait Obedient

4. Negative traits are learned from our painful past as a child Scenario 4.1. Developing Our Negative Traits from painful past Environment Stimulus Desire Energy

Negative Traits

Painful experience

Goal Deprivation

Someone turns on the television set showing a cartoon. The show catches the attention of the child, the child wants to watch the cartoon, the child moves towards the television set, someone switches off the television set, the child is deprived of the cartoon show, the child cries loudly

Environment Someone turns on the television showing a cartoon Stimulus The show catches the attention of the child Desire The child wants to watch the cartoon Energy The child moves toward the television set Barrier Someone switches off the television set Deprivation of goal/expectation someone switches off the television Painful experience the child is stressed and let it out by crying Negative Trait learning to be unreasonable, inconsiderate, selfish, etc.)

Scenario 4.2 - The boss communicates that one of his senior worker is about to retired in a year time - The message catches Ali attention - The boss communicates that one of his men will fill the position of a senior staff, Ali wants the promotion Ali needs the extra money to marry his childhood sweet - Ali works very hard and perform extremely well Ali expects to be promoted - The boss promote someone outside the company Ali is upset and become very bitter with his boss Ali becomes inconsiderate, unreasonable, suspicious, lazy, irresponsible, careless, and unreliable. Environment Stimulus Expectation Desire Need Energy

Inner State Lesser Self Painful Experience Goal Deprivation Outer state Expectation

Environment The boss communicates that one of his men will fill the position of a senior staff who will retire in a year time Stimulus - the message catches Ali attention Desire Ali wants the promotion Ali needs the extra money to marry his girl friend Energy Ali works very hard and perform extremely well Goal Deprivation - The boss promote someone outside the company Painful experience - Ali is upset and become very bitter with his boss Lesser-self Ali becomes inconsiderate, unreasonable, suspicious, lazy, irresponsible, careless, and unreliable.

Conclusions: The following assumptions are made from the scenarios above:
1. 2.

Our past experiences determine and shape our personality traits The strength of a trait depends on the frequency of its reinforcement in our past.