Answer :
Final answer:
The claim that early 20th-century psychologists considered physical appearance (physique) as indicative of personality, while contemporary psychology focuses on genetics is true. Theories like physiognomy and phrenology, which associated personality traits with physical features, have been debunked. Modern psychology acknowledges the complexity of human biology and the roles of both genetics and environment in shaping personality.
Explanation:
The statement that in discussing physical makeup, psychologists early in the last century meant physique whereas now they mean genetics is true.
Early psychological theories such as physiognomy and phrenology attempted to correlate personality with physical attributes like facial features and the shape of the skull. However, these theories were not supported by scientific research and have been discredited. In contrast, contemporary psychology places a stronger emphasis on genetics as the basis for understanding human behavior and personality.
The field has moved away from typologies based on race and physical characteristics, especially after the horrific outcomes of eugenicist thinking became clear post World War II. Modern psychologists and physical anthropologists understand that human biological variation is complex and multifaceted, acknowledging both the genetic factors and the impacts of the environment (nature vs. nurture).
For example, early approaches such as phrenology, developed by Franz Joseph Gall, were later invalidated by careful scientific research. Today, studies in biopsychology and human genetics aim to understand the intricate relationships between our genetic codes and how we behave, emphasizing that while there are genetic influences, environment plays a critical role in developing our personalities.
