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Chapter 2 Your Growth and Development
Although you inherit your temperament,
the environment has a strong effect on how your
behavior patterns develop. For instance, behavior
patterns that are encouraged and accepted by
parents, siblings, or peers are likely to become
stronger. Patterns that are ignored or not accepted
by others tend to become weaker.
Your environment shapes the way these
behavior patterns develop during your life.
Temperament patterns are related to basic
behavior in the following four areas:
‚ how you express yourself intellectually
‚ how physically active you are
‚ how you feel and express your emotions
‚ how social you are
Your intellectual behavior pattern relates to
how you use words and numbers. It also relates
to how you plan and organize your ideas. For
instance, you may be able to describe and explain
your ideas very clearly when speaking. Another
person may be better at organizing thoughts on
paper. Yet another person may have difficulty
with words and ideas, but ease with math
concepts. These differences reflect individual
patterns of intellectual expression.
A Positive Self-Concept
I enjoy getting up in the morning.
I am usually in a good mood.
I like the way I look.
Most people like me.
Others think I am attractive.
I am happy with my friends.
I can laugh at my mistakes.
I am continuing to grow and change.
I look at the positive side of things.
I enjoy what I do.
My life is interesting.
I plan to do something important in life.
Others like to have me with them.
Others care about my opinions.
I can tell others how I feel.
I can talk to others with ease.
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This list describes some of the thoughts and feel-
ings expressed by a person with a positive self-image.
What is your strongest response pattern
for expressing yourself intellectually? Is it
similar to one of the multiple intelligences?
Use What You Learn
Physical behavior patterns range from being
very active to very inactive. You may be a person
who is always moving, working on one task
or another. You may enjoy active sports such
as running, basketball, or tennis. On the other
hand, you may be a person who prefers quieter
activities such as reading, playing the piano, or
building models. Working on projects that require
great thought and precision might appeal to you.
Emotional behavior patterns vary widely.
Some people are more sensitive to their emotional
feelings. They may also be more aware of the
feelings of others. On the other hand, some
people are considered insensitive. They seem less
aware of their own emotions or the feelings of
others. Without realizing it, they may hurt other
people’s feelings or offend them.
Strong emotional feelings can cause some
people to anger quickly or lose control and
cry. Others tend to hide their emotions, keep
everything inside, and cry rarely.
Think More About It
How could a person’s emotional behavior
patterns affect his or her social relationships?