Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Psychology Do parents really matter Do parents really matter “Do Parents Really Matter?” By Annie M. Paul Psychology Today, Vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 46-49,78 Psychologists now believe that a child’s personality is determined primarily by their genetic make-up. After a twelve year study by David Reiss, M.D., parents are believed to have little effect on the outcome of their child. As well as genetics, environment plays a tremendous role in a child’s personality. A child’s appearance (genetics) may bring about a reaction from others (environment). Children that may appear to others as homely would get a negative type of reaction from the outside world, as opposed to a beautiful child that would be constantly complimented, raved about, and receiving affection from others. This negative reaction can bring about a poor “person-to-environment match that can lead to diminished mental health, devreased motivation, and a rebellious, anti-social behavior.” (47) Parents do have some effect on their children. They influence their children’s behavior with their own reactions. For example, some infants may be slower than others. A disappointed parent may give up on the infant, showing little interest. On it’s own, the infant may become withdrawn and fail to make crucial connections. Parents can encourage and promote good attitudes by exposing their children to many things. In doing so, a child can pick and choose what he/she may like best. In conclusion, children must make the best of what nature provided them with. I found this article interesting because of it’s controversy to many beliefs. For the most part, I have always thought that parents played a huge role in the outcome of their children. My general view has broadened since reading this article. I now believe that genetics play a major role in developing personalities. Bibliography: Word Count: 277
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