Theory of Personality (D564) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Genetics play a significant role in shaping personality traits by providing a predispositional framework that influences an individual's temperament and behavioral tendencies. The correct answer emphasizes that genetic factors contribute to the likelihood of developing certain characteristics, suggesting that heredity can predispose individuals to a range of traits, such as extraversion, neuroticism, or agreeableness.

This perspective aligns with research in behavioral genetics and twin studies, which have consistently demonstrated a genetic component in personality. For instance, identical twins often show remarkable similarities in personality traits compared to fraternal twins, regardless of environmental differences, indicating that genetics contribute substantially to the variability in personality traits among individuals.

While environmental factors play an essential role in personality development, the correct answer acknowledges that genetics provides a foundational influence, setting the stage for how personality evolves in the context of individual experiences and environmental interactions. This understanding underscores the complexity of personality development as a dynamic interplay between genetic predispositions and external influences, rather than a simple binary of nature versus nurture.