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Article 1: Meyer, D., Wood, S., & Stanley, B. (2013). Nurture is nature: Integrating brain development, systems theory, and attachment theory. The Family Journal, 21(2), 162–169. doi:10.1177/1066480712466808

URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1066480712466808

Learning Objective: 2 & 3

Summary: Abstract: Addressing both biological processes (nature) and interpersonal processes (nurture) occurring within the infant/caregiver relationship, early human development is reviewed from three perspectives: neurobiology, systems theory, and attachment theory. Utilizing a case illustration to apply the reviewed theories, it is postulated that the integration of neurobiological development, systems theory, and attachment theory substantiates the proposition that nurture is nature.

Questions to Consider:

1. At the core of this debate is the question of whether ______ or ______ influences are the best predictors of how an individual’s personality and behavior patterns will form. Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

1. social; neurological
2. social; biological
3. social; pathological
4. social; analogical

2. Recognizing the biological and ______ processes occurring during the early years of human development, applying systems theory may explain the concept that nurture is nature. Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

1. neurological
2. social
3. interpersonal
4. anthropological

3. Explain, define, and discuss the implications of what is meant when the article states, “Interpersonal processes (nurture) are essential for physical processes (nature) to occur.” Cognitive Domain: Analysis
 

Article 2: Mondak, J. J., & Canache, D. (2014). Personality and political culture in the American states. Political Research Quarterly, 67(1), 26–41. doi:10.1177/1065912913495112

URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1065912913495112

Learning Objective: 1 & 2

Summary: Abstract: Differences in political culture have been observed at the cross-national and subnational levels, and political culture corresponds with a wide array of important social and political phenomena. However, possible psychological correlates of political culture are less clear. Building on research in personality psychology and cross-cultural psychology, this study contemplates whether aggregate personality measures compiled in the American states correspond with patterns in political culture. Using measures of personality traits provided by more than 600,000 survey respondents, parallels with state-level measures of citizen ideology, political culture, and civic culture are examined. Possible mechanisms linking personality and political culture are discussed.

Questions to Consider:

1. This article examines three aspects of the political character of American states: citizen ideology, political culture, and ______ culture. Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

1. social
2. civic
3. geographic
4. ethnographic

2.The Big Five personality trait structure, in recent years, has been the focus of a link between Big Five personality trait structure in the study of personality and cross-cultural psychology. Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

True

False

3. If variation in personality within a population is reflective of biological influence, is there reason to expect variation in collective personality when regions are compared? Cognitive Domain: Analysis
 

Article 3: Rothbart, M. K. (2007). Temperament, development, and personality. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 16(4), 207–212. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00505.x

URL: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2007.00505.x

Learning Objective: 1 & 3

Summary: Abstract: Understanding temperament is central to our understanding of development, and temperament constructs are linked to individual differences in both personality and underlying neural function. In this article, I review findings on the structure of temperament, its relation to the Big Five traits of personality, and its links to development and psychopathology. In addition, I discuss the relation of temperament to conscience, empathy, aggression, and the development of behavior problems, and describe the relation between effortful control and neural networks of executive attention. Finally, I present research on training executive attention.

Questions to Consider:

1. Many psychologists are aware of the ______ dimensions of temperament identified by the New York Longitudinal Study. Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

1. many
2. seven
3. nine
4. fluctuating

2. Interestingly, temperament characteristics can be seen in the newborn and measured in the ______. Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

1. womb
2. brain activity
3. first three days
4. fetus

3. Discuss and provide a possible reason as to why the author posits: “Temperament is also an important contributor to a lower incidence of behavior problems.” Do you agree with the article’s support of this statement? Cognitive Domain: Analysis