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Abstract

Psychologists have developed a number of different approaches — some conflicting, some complementary — to the study of personality. But before examining these we need to ask whether personality owes anything to heredity or is entirely dependent upon the environment. The answer may give an indication of the influence which teachers have upon the personality development of their children. If personality is in part a consequence of heredity, then the teacher’s influence has clear limits. But if personality is acquired, then those limits may be much broader. To provide an answer, we have to look briefly at the early years of life, and see if research can tell us how and when personality makes its first appearance, and what happens subsequently.

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© 1995 David Fontana

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Fontana, D. (1995). Personality. In: Psychology for Teachers. Psychology for Professional Groups. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-24139-2_8

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