Friday, November 2, 2007
Is Personality Theory an Evolutionary Adaptation?
In class we discussed different theories of personality including Freudian and Jungian theory, the Hippocratic Trait Theory, and Birth Order Theory. It seems clear that human beings feel the need to classify their fellow humans into categories. How might the apparent behavior of humans wanting to classify other humans into particular personality categories be the result of an evolutionary adaptation?
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I do not think that human beings classifying one another in different catagories is an adaptation of evolution in any way but it could relate some way to where caveman became normal men now and there are different ways the humans changed that could make it seem like a different catagory.
It could be an evolutionary adaptation if you look at it as wanting to fit in to survive, or something in that sense. One who can develope a good and likable personality will be able to fit in more and have friends who can help them. In contrast, those who are hated will be alone and not very likely to have many friends and might not even get married and have kids. For a species to evolve, generations must be born to pass on inheritable traits.
In the wild, how might an animal's ability to classify another animal into a specific category, help them to survive?
Yes, personality theory is an evolutionary adaptation. These theories are classifying the way an individual should act. For example, the birth order theory breaks down the sports career and moods a person is most likely to choose according to their birth order. Once people read these theories they begin to believe them. A person may even go as far as revolving all their meaningful life choices around these theories. We can compare these studies to those of the medical studies. Scientist have made us all the placebo group. If they feed us enough lies we begin to believe what we are being told. Thus, we act as if we are on the actual drug. We will continuously make decisions according to these studies because we believe that as scientists they know what is best for us. They are who the people trust most. Consequently, soon enough all the middle children will be participating in the rough most dangerous sports and the oldest children will all go into the professional fields; even when their true passion is art. In brief, scientists and their personality theories are forming personalities based on a few observations creating evolutionary adaptation.
The animals ability to classsify other animals into specific categories helps them to survive by giving them a sense of caution. This sense of caution helps them to keep away or, if necessary, get defensive upon the other animals presenting a danger to them. For example, a hippopotamus is extremely territorial in waters but very unterritorial about land unless a danger is presented. The discovery channel recently presented a special on the sub-Sahahran Africa, where the hippos dwell in lakes and rivers, and up until a pack of hyenas showed up they were moderately tranquil. Hyenas are awfully dangerous creatures. The hippos ability to classify them as a threat gave them an advantage and were able to “bully up” before any of them were harmed. Yes, it is true that the hippopotamus is the “most dangerous and aggressive” of all mammals but why don’t they fight the birds feeding off of them off? Because they’re ability to classify animals into specific categories tells them that these birds are no threat.
I would have to disagree with Cheyanne.
Just because you are able to "develope a likeable personality" it doesnt mean you will have friends who can help you. Help how?
If by hated you mean outcast not popular not "likeable"; then i would also have to disagree with you on that. I can personally say that I would much rather hang with the outcast than the "in" group. If you have ever, or if you do, hang with the most likeable people they are boring!! They are fake; too worried about how others will percieve them. thus, i must say I am one who loves hangin with the less mainstream group; theres much more going on and always something new.
Stacy, that is the answer I was looking for. Your hippopatamus example is brilliant.
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