The document discusses biological and social influences on human growth and behavior. It notes that while people may look alike, personalities can differ due to various factors. Both genetics and environment play a role in development. Genetic factors like heredity influence physical traits and abilities, while hormones impact sex-based differences in growth. Environmental influences include physical surroundings, social contexts, parental relationships, family dynamics, education, culture and peer groups, all of which impact adjustment and social-emotional development. Both biological and social elements interact to shape a person.

1. Biological and Social
Influences on human
Growth and Behaviour
(Heredity & Environment)
Purshottam
R/S Department of Social Work
KUK

2. Growth and Behaviour:
 Uniqueness in every person… some are
criminals and others law abiding citizens…
 There are several factors which directly or
indirectly influence the growth and Human
Behaviors
 Brother and sister ---- same family. Same
parents and definitely look alike, but our
personalities are so different!.. Think
different… act differently..

3.  Twins are even more interesting than regular
siblings because even identical twins, who
have the exact same DNA, can look and act
differently from one another. Because
different aspects of our behaviors are
influenced by our genes, the environment, or
a combination of the two….
 For example, your natural features, such as
your hair and eye color, are determined by
genetics. But how you style that hair and
what kind of sunglasses you wear over those
eyes make you different.. Well, those may be
part of your genetic personality, but they're
also likely influenced by the people you hang
out with and other social cues in your
environment.

5. Biological Factors… these factors include
genetic factors and hormonal factors..
 Heredity or genetic factors: Heredity is
a biological process through which the
transmission of physical characteristics
takes place from parents to off-springs.
 It greatly influences the different aspects
of growth and development i.e. height,
weight and structure of the body, colour
of hair and eye, intelligence, aptitudes
and instincts.

6.  Hormonal factors (Sex): Sex acts as
an important factor of growth and
development. There is difference in
growth and development of boys and girls.
The boys in general taller, courageous
than the girls but Girls show rapid physical
growth in adolescence and excel boys. In
general the body constitution and
structural growth of girls are different
from boys. The functions of boys and girls
are also different in nature.

7. Environmental factors:
Environment plays an important role in
human life.
 Physical environment (outer physical
surroundings, food, clothing and shelter.
Geographical conditions i.e. weather and
climates are physical environment which
has considerable impact on individual
child).
 Social environment (society-individuals
and institutions, social laws, customs by
which human behavior is regulated).

8.  Psychological environment (One's
love, affection and fellow feeling attitude
will strengthen human bond with one
another).
 Parental factors…
 Importance of mother, father and other
family members.
 Size of family. (language & mental
abilities develop faster)
 Economic status of family.

9.  School and Peer Groups
 Adjustment
 Teachers’ behaviour & school environment
 Social and emotional development
 Cultural Factors
 Important factor affects the child’s behaviour
& development
 Values and norms
So Growth and Development are regulated by
the environment of an individual where he
lives.