Self-realization Regardless of our Personality or Genetic Makeup…
It’s not easy to navigate the murky waters of personality because the reality is that people are messy. We are all imperfect humans trying to make sense of a very convoluted world. People also vary greatly in their characteristics, behaviors, and life experiences which allows for actions and reactions to be shown or expressed differently. It is this complexity that drives the study of personality and its related concepts.
“Personality is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon, but a set of relative degrees by which we differ from one another.” (1)
Nettle believes that a person’s personality is made up of two parts: genetic predispositions and environmental influences. He suggests that when considering an individual’s overall development, both of these factors are equally important. He also believes that genetics is the most important factor in determining who a person is and what their capabilities are, but he also believes that other factors such as family background, culture, environment, education, and social interactions can play a role.
“Our personalities are always in flux; we shift and change as we age, learn from experience, and face new surprises life throws our way.” (2)
I’d like to pause here and talk about genetic predispositions and environmental influences within my own household. I have a set of identical twins that by definition are the same. According to their genetic code, every marker is on the same point. As an example, one of the boys could pull off an elaborate crime and through forensics, we would never know who really did it. I tell you this because while their genetic makeup and even their environmental influences are arguably the same at this point in their lives my identical twins could not be more different. God carefully crafts us no matter our genetic makeup into who he wants us to be: we are the work of his hand. When I read books similar to this one my views are typically skewed and as such you will see that reflected in my response. (He believes, he suggests, ect.)
According to Nettle, there are four main traits that he believes form an individual’s core personality:
4 Traits and explanations:
- Extraversion-introversion: Extraversion is the predisposition to be outgoing and sociable, whereas introversion is reserved and prefers more solitary activities.
- Agreeableness-antagonism: Agreeableness is being kind, helpful, and friendly to others while antagonism is being critical or not willing to work with others.
- Conscientiousness-disinterest: Conscientiousness means being organized, hardworking, and goal-oriented while disinterest means being unconcerned or indifferent.
- Neuroticism-stability: Neuroticism is associated with emotional instability, anxiety, or sensitivity; stability is associated with greater resilience during times of stress.
He believes that each trait forms an individual’s behavior independently of the others. For example, someone who scores high on extraversion might be more outgoing, whereas someone who scores high on agreeableness may be more compassionate toward others. Similarly, someone with higher conscientiousness may be more organized, whereas someone with high neuroticism may be easily stressed or anxious.
“Personality traits are like fingernails: they grow over time and can be shaped by the environment.” (3)
In addition to his personality trait research, Nettle has created a number of theoretical models that attempt to explain how these traits interact with the environment to produce different outcomes for individuals over time. One such model is ‘Personality System Interaction Theory,’ which proposes that our personalities interact with external influences to create unique patterns over time, leading to our identity formation or, as he puts it, “becoming ourselves.” According to Nettle, this process begins with self-awareness and then progresses into adulthood, where we continue to refine our personal skills and interests, as well as how we choose to interact with those around us.
“Personality is both fluid and intractable – impossible to predict its course but open to influence at any given moment.” (4)
In today’s society, where people from all walks of life are so diverse, it is critical for us to understand how our own personalities interact differently from those around us in order to embrace differences rather than reject them based solely on surface-level impressions. Understanding Nettle’s theories can help us better recognize why certain behaviors manifest themselves in certain contexts, such as why one might naturally respond better in an extroverted setting as verse to an introverted one, or vice versa, depending on their personality combination, leading them further down their path into self-exploration and development through meaningful relationships. This could eventually lead us toward true self-realization regardless of our personality.
“No single trait or combination of traits can tell us everything about someone, not least because our personalities develop over time in unpredictable ways.” (5)
(1) Nettle, Daniel. “Chapter 2.” Essay. In Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
(2)Nettle, Daniel. “Chapter 4.” Essay. In Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
(3)Nettle, Daniel. “Chapter 9.” Essay. In Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
(4)Nettle, Daniel. “Chapter 10.” Essay. In Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
(5) Nettle, Daniel. “Chapter 11.” Essay. In Personality: What Makes You the Way You Are. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
About the Author
Alana Hayes
Alana is a mother to four beautiful children and wife to a farmer in Texas. She is an avid world traveler with a heart for both the world and education. She is the president of the nonprofit Against the Grain Texas where they focus on providing education to children overseas and at risk adults in the states. To date the nonprofit has given almost $100,000 to individuals around the world. In her free time she loves spending meaningful time with people and reading to further her personal education.3 responses to “Self-realization Regardless of our Personality or Genetic Makeup…”
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Alana,
wow! I am so happy that I read this!! Great take my friend!
You are the perfect person to speak on this:
“I’d like to pause here and talk about genetic predispositions and environmental influences within my own household. I have a set of identical twins that by definition are the same. According to their genetic code, every marker is on the same point.”
I am WANTING TO HEAR MORE about how you see your boys differences.
This is so true! The quote below. I am curious how the new employees will have different personalities and work together at Fred’s!! I am praying for a wonderful blend of personalities that are able to work together well. This is my prayer. How are you assessing this at Fred’s these days? I am pinching myself, saying this! Weren’t you just talking about a coffee shop this last Sept!!!?
“In today’s society, where people from all walks of life are so diverse, it is critical for us to understand how our own personalities interact differently from those around us in order to embrace differences rather than reject them based solely on surface-level impressions.”
Thank you for this valuable contribution to the discussion on personality.
Alana,
I really enjoyed your post. You made some really great connections. I enjoyed reading about your twins.
Great post, Alana. I was drawn to your comments on “Personality System Interaction Theory,’ which proposes that our personalities interact with external influences to create unique patterns over time, leading to our identity formation or, as he puts it, “becoming ourselves.” I believe this to be true but I also think we form good and bad habits that can influence us for better or worse. Have you noticed your personality swinging in any way with all the new commotion of opening a new business?