Epigenetic Influences on Personality and Behavior

Prior to beginning work on this discussion please read the Hurley (2013) Trait vs. Fate and Weaver, et al. (2004) Epigenetic Programming by Maternal Behavior articles and review the Webster "The Great Rat Mother Switcheroo" online article. The recommended resources for this week also provide more information on these topics.

In this week's required resources, we have learned that while our genes have a lot to say about who we are, environmental factors, particularly parental behavior, can shape the behavior of offspring on a biochemical level.

Using the assigned Hurley and Weaver et al. articles, briefly describe the research that has been done with rat mothers to illustrate this phenomenon. In your initial post of a minimum of 350 words, explain the implications of the research on parental behavior and environmental factors as they relate to human personality development.

Describe how this research data might be used to explain unhealthy personality traits. Explain how this data correlates to Winnicot's concept of the "Good Enough Mother" found in Chapter 3 of your text. Be sure to cite the Hurley and Weaver, et al. articles in your initial post.