Table of Contents Part IV: The Development of Personality: The
Old and the New The Components of Personality HERE WE ARE
concerned specifically with the part played by heredity and the
part played by cultural environment. In addition to the findings
of psychology, both genetics and anthropology have contributed
to our understanding. The extent to which an individual's
personality is influenced by heredity has been demonstrated in a
remarkable way by studies on twins and, in the minds of many, by
Sheldon's work on the relationship between human physique and
temperament. The importance of cultural environment has been
demonstrated by such anthropologists as Cora DuBois and Margaret
Mead. We shall consider these separately, though it is sometimes
difficult to isolate the two factors. The Part Played by Nature:
Heredity first man to make a scientific attempt to attach the
responsibility for personality formation to hereditary factors
was Sir Francis Galton. (14) He was particularly interested in
outstanding perso