Human Skills: Influence of environment on an individual behaviour
ØEnvironment plays a very important role. John Fuller, on the basis of his research studies on dogs, has demonstrated that these pups that are raised normally are good at learning when kept in group than those who were raised in isolation.
ØThe way in which environmental factors influence individual’s development can be best explained with the help of research studies carried out by Wayne Dennis.
ØSomewhat however similar results had been obtained by Harlow (1962). He studied three group of monkeys.
§One group of monkeys were reared in natural conditions along with their parents and siblings. These group of monkeys could play and mix with each other in natural environment.
§The second and third group of monkeys was in the partial and total isolation condition.
What role does the environment play?
Environment includes both prenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) conditions.
Some of the factors that influence the prenatal environment are:
§Prenatal Nourishment
§Drug Intake
§Drinking alcohol
§Smoking
§Mother’s health
§Medical x-rays
§Mother’s age
§Environmental hazards
POSTNATAL ENVIRONMENT
The different environmental factors that affect personality are explained in detail below :
§ Social environment
§Family structure
§Family atmosphere
§Physical environment
§Cultural environment
Important role environment plays in our human nature and behavior patterns:
Though heredity factors play an important role in influencing our development, the role of environment cannot be minimized. Since the heritability of a trait generally does not exceed 50 per cent, there is great room for environmental influences.
§One’s family and peer group influences one’s development considerably.
§Researchers have also emphasized on the role of socio-economic environment and socio-cultural factors influencing and shaping our development.
§Our intellectual development and specific cognitive abilities are considerably influenced by environmental factors. A stimulating enriched environment aids to cognitive development among infants.