We are Different, but We are not so Different

Personality can be delineated from many different, and almost mind numbing views. It can be said to be the logical outcome of genetics, the environment, learned responses, parental influence, conscious and unconscious factors in the mind, and even as something that develops over time.

Personality Theory Overview

The total personality is the combination of many factors, all of which are developmentally connected, changing, but, for the most part, stable throughout the lifespan.

Genetically Speaking

We all have a universal, made in the image of God, genetic connection, but we also have a specific heredity that we receive from our parents. As much as we like to think our individuality is like that of a snowflake, it is truly amazing how similar we really are in view of our dispositions. Genetics actually tie us together more than distinguish us from one another. So close together are we that with all the theories available, the “experts” can only come up with five genetic variables at best. Some even have them narrowed to three. Although we can be grouped by our emotional, social, and active tendencies, these do not in and of themselves completely define our personality. They may describe our dispositions, but they do not describe who we can be. We are different, but we are not so different.

Learning

Learning is where the formation of a personality really begins. Operant Conditioning, Classical Conditioning, Observational Learning, or whatever name we use, the social forces acting upon us and our response to them shape our personality into a firm foundation. Not only what we learn, but how we learn it is vital to the process. Often how we learn leads to success or failure in life. If we learn in an environment that is positive or response is more than likely going to be positive. In a negative environment, the inverse would be true in many cases. There are exceptions to just about every rule we could come up with, but overall this is born out more often than not. Good reinforcement for good behavior lends itself to the repetition of the desired behavior. Negative reinforcement in response to bad behavior will usually curb the undesirable behavior. These factors are pivotal in the next area of influence on the development of the personality.

Parental Factors

How we relate to our parents, and how our parents relate to us is paramount in solidifying the genetic and learning factors that contribute to our overall personality. Parenting, when don well, will produce desirable results, but parenting, when done poorly, can have devastating effects. Children shown love, affection, guidance, and encouragement will generally retain those ideas as traits and pass them to the next generation. Homes without these essentials are, at best, just some place to live, but are devoid of life. Lyndon Johnson’s idea of taking care of those in our society who, would not take care of themselves, is probably one of the best and worst images we can use to see the value in parenting. Nothing external can replace responsible parenting. Government can give housing, food, and money (Maslow would be proud) but the parenting style will not change from external enticement. Where we come from, how and what we learn, and how we are raised by our parents provide the foundation, walls, and roof that we use to house our personality. The weather outside that house is what we will consider the final element of personality.

Environmental Factors

If the prior three areas compose our personality structure, the environmental factors are what we use to keep it up to date. Personality can change. With each new experience we have our personality grows. Sometimes it grows positively like overcoming a fear or phobia, and in not so positive ways like large scale social events that cause our lives to be disrupted.

With each new experience comes new insight. That insight accumulates over a lifetime and makes us who we are.

The Bible on Conditioned Behavior

The Bible teaches condition as part of our personality development. Our ultimate reward is Heaven. The book of Proverbs gives us the positive and negative consequences to our behavior.

External is Good, Internal is Bad

In the master plan there are really on two types of people. There are those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, and those who have not. Everyone we meet will fit into one of those categories, and their personality will usually be a reflection of the category they inhabit.

Where we look for strength, guidance, and wisdom will determine the path to dysfunction or transcendence. Conventional wisdom tells us to look within ourselves for these things. God tells us to focus on Him, and to look to Him for answers. This is where I part company with many theories.

Conclusion

I will go back to the beginning where I stated; we are created in the image of God and now add that sin is the cause of the divisions we refer to as types, traits, and dysfunctions. Transcendence for us will only be found when we are at peace with God. That means we can only be at peace with ourselves when we are at peace with God. Nothing will be perfect this side of heaven, but gaining peace with God through Jesus Christ is the beginning of the healing therapy. Then we move to substantial healing in our relationship within ourselves, and then with those around us.

How different are we? We are all over the map. Like those lines that represent the roads all over the map we are part of the same page.

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