Chapter 1

You: Growing and Changing

Objectives

Identify the three forces that shape personality. Describe six patterns of growth. Define self-concept and self-esteem. Explain how a person’s character is revealed by

his or her behavior. Describe what it means to be a responsible

adult. Identify possible roadblocks to responsible

adulthood.

Terms to Know

personality heredity inherited traits environment acquired traits growth pattern puberty pituitary gland

emotional growth self-concept self-esteem character citizen citizenship volunteerism goal

Did You Know...

Our world has more than 6 billion people. But no one else is exactly like you. You are uniquely and wonderfully yourself!

Your Personality

Personality: The group of behavioral and emotional traits that distinguish an individual.

Factors That Shape Personality

Heredity: The sum of the traits that are passed from your ancestors to you.

Environment: All of the conditions, objects, and circumstances that surround an individual.

Your response to your environment.

Heredity Inherited traits: Traits determined by

heredity.

Can you name some inherited traits?

Environment Acquired traits: Traits developed as a result

of environmental factors.

Can you name some acquired traits?

Heredity-Environment Interaction

An “ear for music” is inherited. But to become a good instrumentalist, a person

must learn to play a musical instrument and practice regularly.

Your Growth

Chronological Physical Intellectual

Emotional Social Philosophical

Your Growth Pattern

Growth pattern: The unique pace at which a person grows.

Some types of growth may be rapid while other types are slow.

Your growth pattern and your response to it can influence your personality.

Chronological Growth

Is measured by time.

We grow older each minute, hour, day, week, month, and year.

Your attitude about aging says much about you.

Are you comfortable with aging?

Physical Growth

Puberty: The time when the body first is able to reproduce.

Pituitary gland: Triggers sudden body change/growth from child to adult.

How might a person’s physical growth affect his or her personality development?

Intellectual Growth

Your potential for intelligence is inherited.

But making the effort to develop your mind counts, too!

What kinds of things can you do to grow intellectually?

Emotional Growth Emotional growth: The continuing refinement

of emotions or mental states that causes an individual to act in a certain way.

Learning to control and express emotions appropriately.

Learning to handle mood swings.

What can you do to improve a “bad mood?”

Social Growth

Learning to relate positively to others.

Appreciating and following rules made for the benefit of all.

What social situations do you wish you could handle better?

Philosophical Growth

Finding deeper meaning and purpose in your life.

Choosing the right life direction.

Name some common philosophical goals.

Your Self-Concept Your self-concept is the way you see

yourself. You are unique, and this makes you special!

How are you different from your best friend?

How Is Your Self-Concept Formed?

It has been shaped by others’ reactions to your behavior from the time you were very young.

How much are you influenced now by others’ ideas about your abilities?

What Is Self-Esteem? Self-esteem: How you feel about yourself. If you have self-esteem, you feel good about

yourself even though you know you aren’t perfect.

Do you view yourself as a winner or as a “work in progress?”

Building Self-Esteem

Identify your strengths. Talk positively to yourself. Accept things you cannot change. Focus on the present and future. Take one step at a time. Be a friend to yourself.

Your Character

Character: A sense of right and wrong that guides your behavior.

Is partially learned from the people around you.

Building good character is your responsibility!

Your Character

You build good character when you obey society’s rules for the benefit of all. make these rules part of you. use these rules to guide your behavior

throughout life.

Becoming a Responsible and Independent Adult

Becoming a responsible and independent adult means

juggling many roles at the same time. building a positive outlook. keeping troubles in perspective. knowing when to get help.

Virtues That Help Build Character

Self-discipline Responsibility Honesty and

integrity

Loyalty Compassion and mercy

Motivation and

hard work

* Perseverance *

Learning to Be Responsible

Learning to be responsible means trying your best to do what you should do. admitting mistakes and making amends. not blaming others for your mistakes.

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Citizen?

Citizen: A person who owes loyalty to a government and is entitled to its protection.

Citizenship: The status of being a citizen.

Involves rights and responsibilities.

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Citizen?

Citizens have the right to vote equal treatment under the law freedom of speech, worship, and other

Constitutional privileges government services

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Citizen?

Citizens have the responsibility to vote obey laws stay informed on public affairs pay taxes

A Citizen of Your Local Community

Being a good citizen of your local community means

helping to make your community a better place to live.

Volunteerism: giving or offering services of your own free will.

How can you contribute to your community?

A Citizen of the Larger Community

Being a good citizen of the larger community means

caring for the environment. keeping up with current events worldwide. staying informed on trends affecting global

well-being.

Meeting Personal Expectations

Each of us has expectations for life.

Goal: Something you want to achieve or to have.

Name a goal that you have for your life.

Roadblocks to Responsible Adulthood

Poverty and unemployment Crime and violence Substance abuse Sexual abuse Teenage pregnancy Sexually transmitted diseases

Concerns of Young Adults Having enough money Staying healthy Avoiding wrong decisions The future of the country Choosing the right career Getting a good job Finding the right person to marry Dealing with family problems

Name some additional concerns that young adults may have.

Finding Your Way

Seek reliable information. Ask questions. Recognize what is important. Respect your heritage. Create your future!

How can you make

your positive

possibilities into

realities?